
Class 

Book 



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Gop^Tig}lt}<'?. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



AS FOrXD AMOXG THE 

WASHINGTON PAPERS 

IX THE 

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



Compiled from the original records, under tlie direction of the 
Committee on Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, ^vith 
annotations. 

BY 

JULIUS F. SACHSE 

UBRARIAX, MASOXIC TEMPLE PHILADEUHIA 



PHILADELPHIA 

1013 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1915, in the Office of 

the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C, by J. Hekkv 

Williams, R.W.G.M. 



COMMITTEE ON LIBRARY 

JOHN WANAMAKER, Chairman, 
SAMUEL AV. LATTA, 
NORRIS S. BARRATT, 
HARMAN YERKES, 
HENRY DARRACH, 
WALTER T. TAGGART. 

JULIUS F. SACHSE, Librarian. 



An Edition of One Thousand Copies has beep printed, of 
•which this is No. Xd^'J 



PRESS OF 

THE NEW ERA PRINTING COMPANY 

LANCASTER, PA. 



JUL -8 1915 





m^ 










The position of eminence, the great respect and the pro- 
found reverence in which the name of Washington is en- 
shrined in the hearts of the American people, and particularly 
so, with the members of this Fraternity, and of all true lovers 
of liberty and freedom wheresoever dispersed, is the reason, if 
any be needed, why everything relating to this great man and 
worthy brother should be preserved for the future generations, 
to be used by them as a guide, in the cultivation of those car- 
dinal virtues of Honor and Integrity, that should ever charac- 
terize the conduct of a good man and a good Mason. 

The collection and reproduction of the letters of Brother 
Washington, together with the text of this book, have been 
prepared under my supervision, and its publication is heartily 
approved. 



^ff^jj^^Mm^ 



Grand Master. 
February 22, A.D. 1915-A.L. 5915. 




CONTENTS. 

Foreword 

The Masonic Correspondence of Washington 5 



Page 
1 



Correspondence with Watson and Cassoul 19 



II 

Correspondence with Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, 1783. . 28 

III 

Correspondence with Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, 1784 . . 34 

IV 
Correspondence with King David's Lodge, No. 1, New- 
port, R. L, 1790 37 



Correspondence with St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Newbern, 
N. C, 1791 44 

VI 

Correspondence with Prince George's Lodge, No. 16, 
Georgetown, S. C, 1791 51 

V 



fiDaeontc Corre0pon^ence of Masbtngton 

* 1^ Page 

Correspondence with 'Grand Lodge of South Carolina, 
1791 5T 

VIII 

Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Georgia, 1791 ... 65 

IX 

Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 
1792 69 

X 

Correspondence with Grand Lodge of INIassachusetts, 
1792 80 

XI 

Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 
1796 86 

XII 

Correspondence with Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, Virginia, 
1797 95 

XIII 

Correspondence with Grand Lodge of [Massachusetts, 
1797 102 

XIV 

Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Maryland, 1798. . Ill 

XV 

Correspondence with G. W. Snyder, 1798 117 

XVI 
Index 141 

vi 



fD>a0onic Correspondence ot Maebington 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

Paqb 

Masonic Portrait of Washington Frontispiece. i/ 

J. Henry Williams, R. W. Grand Master iii "^ 

Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh 

on the Hudson Facing page 22 

Wise's Tavern, Alexandria, Virginia. ... " ' 35 

Moses Michael Hays (Portrait) " " 15^ 

Washington, (Houdon Portrait), 1786.. " " 36^ 

Mordecai Gist, (Portrait) " " 57 " 

Residence of President Washington in 

Philadelphia " " 69^ 

Fac-Simile of Address " " 72 ^ 

Jonathan Bayard Smith, (Portrait) " " 76' 

Rev. William Smith, D.D., (Portrait) ... " " 88 

Mount Vernon, 1783-1799 " " 95 ^. 

Paul Revere, (Portrait) " " 105 ^ 

Washington, (St. Memin Portrait), 1798. " " 117 
Draft of Letter to Grand Lodge 

of Maryland Between pages 112-113 

Press copy of Washington's letter 

to G. W. Snyder, September 25, 

1798 " " 124-125 

Press copy of letter, October 24, 

1798 " " 130-131 




FOREWORD 




WASHINGTON'S Masonic correspon- 
dence as found among the Washing- 
ton papers in the Manuscript depart- 
ment of the Library of Congress, 
affords an insight of the great esteem in which 
Washington held the Masonic Fraternity, of which 
since his early days he had been an honored member. 

This is further shown by his great courtesy to the 
Brethren, in his rephes to their addresses, no matter 
whether they were from a Grand or Subordinate 
Lodge. In this collection, were also found some of 
the original drafts of Washington's replies, together 
with copies of the various masonic addresses and let- 
ters to him, and in the case of Dominie Snyder, press 
copies of his answers. 

In the present work an attempt has been made to 
group this matter together in chronological order, 
also to show some of the surroundings and conditions 
under which this correspondence was made, and of 
the Brethren who were prominent in the presentation 

2 1 



flDasontc Corrc0pont)cnce of Maebinaton 

of these Eleven Addresses, which came to him from 
Seven of the Thirteen Colonies. 

A complete set of photostatic fac-similes of these 
docmnents in the Library of Congress, has been 
secured for the Museum of the Grand Lodge of 
Pennsylvania. Efforts were also made to obtain 
photographic copies of such of the Washington 
Masonic letters as were still in existence, which were 
successful except in two instances as noted in the 
text. 

It will be noted that on April 30, 1789, Washing- 
ton, while Master of his Lodge, was inaugurated 
President of the United States; this is the only in- 
stance where one of the fourteen Presidents, who 
were Members of our Fraternity was a Master of a 
Lodge during their term as President. 

The esteem in which Washington held the Ma- 
sonic Fraternity, is shown by the fact, that in almost 
every case he had both the address and his reply, 
copied upon opposite pages of one of his folio letter- 
books, now in the Library of Congress. These copies 
are respectively in the handwriting of Washington's 
private secretaries, viz: — Major William Jackson: 
Tobias Lear: Bartholomew Dandridge and G. W. 
Craik. 

In addition to the above copies we have Washing- 
ton's original drafts of his letters to Watson and 
Cassoul, to the Grand Lodges of Massachusetts, 
South Carolina, and Maryland, to Paul Revere, and 

2 



■^aeneratton ot OTasbtnaton 



as before stated press copies of his answers to Mr. 
Snyder. 

A perusal of these original documents, as here pre- 
sented, affords an excellent illustration of the entente 
cordiale, which existed between Washington and 
his Masonic Bretliren. 

Upon the other hand, how the Masonic Fraternity, 
during Washington's lifetime, venerated their august 
Brother, is shown by the addresses of this correspon- 
dence as retained by Washington. 

Also by the various Masonic Memorial services 
held, after Washington's death, the chief of which 
was in Philadelphia, under the auspices of the Grand 
Lodge of Pennsylvania. The Masonic services held 
in every State of the Union, the many Eulogies and 
Sermons delivered and printed are matters of history. 

How this veneration of the great Washington 
continued during the past years, is shown by the fact 
that there are no less than 53 Masonic Lodges in the 
United States, named after the illustrious Brother. 
This is independent of the nmnerous Royal Arch 
Chapters, Commanderies, and other Masonic bodies, 
that bear the name "Washington." 

Washington Lodges are found in thirty-eight of 
the forty-eight States of the American Union. 

The other ten States, which thus far have no 
"Washington Lodge" within their Jurisdiction, are 
Mississippi and Texas, together with the newer west- 
ern States lately admitted into the American Union, 

3 



fiDasonic Correspondence ot Masbinaton 



viz: — Nevada, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, 
Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. 

In addition to the fifty-three Washington Lodges, 
there is also one each in Canada, the Island of Cuba 
and the District of Columbia. 

In the Masonic Fraternity throughout the world, 
the name of Washington is ever kept in remem- 
brance, as one of the brightest luminaries in the 
Masonic constellation, one of the most prominent ex- 
amples, being his full length oil portrait in Masonic 
clothing in the Hall of the Grand Lodge of England 
at London. 

Acknowledgments are due to the Hon. Herbert 
Putnam, Librarian of Congress, for placing these 
documents at the disposal of the writer, and giving 
permission to have photostat copies made of same; 
also to J. Henry Williams, Esq., R. W. Grand 
Master of Masons in Pennsylvania and Masonic 
Jurisdiction thereunto belonging, for suggestions and 
encouragement in the preparation of this work. 



Qu£(Uu^ ^.^ 



iC^^ 



cu^7u>£y: 



Philadelphia, February 22, A.D. 1915-A.L. 5915. 





The Masonic Correspondence 
of Washington 




UCH has been written pro and con 
about Washington and his connec- 
tion with the Masonic Fraternity. 
Thus far no complete set of his Ma- 
sonic writings have been compiled or published. 
Such portions as have been printed were fragmen- 
tary, and issued for what may be called local 
purposes. 

How careful Washington was of his Masonic 
correspondence is shown by the fact that he had 
copies made, in his private letter books, of most all 
letters sent him by the various Masonic Grand and 
Subordinate bodies, and his answers thereto, usually 
upon opposite pages. He thus had both the ad- 
dresses and his reply at hand for easy reference. 
This fact shows the esteem in which Washington 

5 



fiDasontc Corrc0pon^ence of Masbtnoton 

held his Brethren of the Masonic Fraternity, as well 
as liis own opinion of Freemasonry. 

These letter-books are now in the Library of Con- 
gress, and photostat copies of such as relate to Free- 
masonry have been made for the Library of the 
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

As to the authenticity of the Washington Letter 
Books, and how they came into the possession of the 
United States Government is explained by the fol- 
lowing statement by JNIr. Galliard Hunt, chief 
Manuscript division. Library of Congi*ess:^ 

*' They are a part of the Washington papers in 
"the Government's possession, purchased from the 
"Washington family, one lot in 1834) and the re- 
"mainder in 1849, and deposited in the Department 
"of State until 1903, when, by the President's order, 
"they were sent to this Library. They range in 
"date from 1754 to 1799. Some of them are partly 
" or wholly in Washington's hand-writing, and others 
"in the writing of his secretaries and their clerks. 
" There are no volumes of press copies, but there are 
"some press copies among the papers.'* 

Washington in writing his answer to the various 
greetings, in most cases would first make a rough 
copy of his reply, then digest, alter, correct or change 
such parts or sentences as he thought proper. Then 

1 Letter to Julius F. Sachse from Manuscript Division, December 19, 
1914 — in Library of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

6 



©tiGtnal Drafts 



after deliberate consideration, a fair copy would be 
made either by Washington or one of his Secre- 
taries and signed by him, and sent to the Masonic 
bodies for which they were intended. 

Fortunately some of the original drafts of these 
Masonic letters have come down to us; thus far five 
autographic copies have been found among the 
Washington papers in the Library of Congress at 
Washington. 

1. Draft of letter written at Newburg, New York, 
August 19, 1782, to Watson and Cassoul of Nantes, 
France, thanking them for the Masonic Apron, em- 
broidered by the nuns at Nantes, and which is now 
in possession of Alexandria- Washington Lodge, No. 
22, at Alexandria, Virginia. 

2. To the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 

3. To the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

4. To the Grand Lodge of South Carolina. 

5. To the Grand Lodge of Maryland; this draft 
is a two-page letter written upon a letter sheet and 
shows many changes and corrections; it is dated 
1798. 

In addition to the above original drafts there were 
found several addresses and the accompanying an- 
swers, which thus far have never been published, in 
fact no mention of them has ever appeared in print, 
viz: — 

1. An address from the Grand Lodge of Georgia, 
together with Washington's reply. 

7 



flDaeontc Corrc0pon^e^ce of Masbtn^ton 

2. A letter to Paul Revere, Grand Master of 
Massachusetts and his Grand Officers. 

3. An address from the Brethren of Prince 
George's Lodge, No. 16, Georgetown, South Caro- 
lina, presented to President Washington during 
his visit to South Carolina, April 30, 1791, also his 
reply to same. 

4. An address from the Bretliren of St. John's 
Lodge, Xo. 2, of Newbern, !N'orth Carolina, and the 
reply to same. 

Photostat copies of the above have also been ob- 
tained which make the most complete collection of 
the Masonic Correspondence of Washington which 
has thus far been compiled. 

A careful study of this correspondence so care- 
fully cherished by Washington puts an entirely new 
phase upon Washington's connection with the Ma- 
sonic Fraternity, and his esteem of Freemasonry. 

These papers absolutely thrust aside all of the 
statements, argimients and libels, brought forth by 
our misguided enemies at the time of the Anti- 
jNIasonic craze during the last century, and in a small 
way kept alive even down to the present day by 
some people who are blinded by their ignorance or 
malice. 

Referring to some of their published statements 
that Washington never belonged to the INIasonic 
Fraternity, and that there were no authentic INIasonic 
letters nor copies thereof among his records so fre- 



TRttnere ** IDtnMcation " 



quently made during the political Anti-Masonic 
craze, which swept over New England and the Mid- 
dle States about eighty-five years ago, the following 
quotations from the Masonic literature of the period 
will prove interesting examples. 

One of the chief statements made by these people, 
and brought before all their conventions and heralded 
in the public prints was: "That though General 
Washington caused to be carefully copied in books 
kept for that purpose, all his letters on every sub- 
ject, no trace whatever of any of the five letters 
under consideration,^^ nor any letters to any other 
Lodge or Masonic body whatever, are to be found 
among the records of his correspondence."^ 

The chief authority upon whom the leaders of the 
Anti-Masonic movement at that time depended in 
their defamation of Washington^ was Jared Sparks 
of Boston, who at the time was engaged writing a 
life of Washington^ and then had access to all the 
Washington letter-books and papers, and from his 
connection with the Washington correspondence, was 

la The letters referred to by the Anti-Masons were the one to King 
David's Lodge at Newport, two to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 
and one to Charleston, S. C, and to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 
The above five Masonic Letters were all that were known to the Anti- 
Masons at that time. 

2 " Vindication | of | General Washington | from the stigma | of adher- 
ence to I Secret Societies | by | Joseph Ritner | Governor of the Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania, | communicated | by | request of the House of 
Representatives, to that body,| on the 8th of March, 1837." 

This address during the Anti-Masonic period was regarded as an im- 
portant state paper. 

9 



fiDasonic CorreeponDence of Maebtngton 

supposed to be the best qualified to pass upon their 
authenticity. 

Another of the charges made by the Anti-Masonic 
bigots whose chief object was to controvert facts 
was: 

"That although Washington was extremely 
scrupulous in preserving his correspondence with all 
public or private bodies, there is not a line of his 
relating to Freemasonry, to be found among all 
his papers, except the correspondence with Mr. 
Snyder!^ It is also a fact, that Washington was 
equally scrupulous in dating his letters, and it is 
believed that not one can be found, which is without 
a date."' 

It appears that the chairman of a committee of 
citizens of Boston called upon the officers of the 
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to submit their two 
Washington letters to Jared Sparks for his inspec- 
tion. This the Grand Officers refused to do. 

In return Sparks sent the following letter to the 
Chairman : 

" Boston, February 18, 1833. 

"Sir, — I received this morning your letter of the 
15th instant, in which j^ou inquire: 

*' Whether I have yet seen or had in my possession 

3 Letter press copies of the Snyder letters were retained by Washixg- 
TON. Photostat copies of same are in the Archives of the Grand Lodge 
of Pennsylvania. 

4 " Proceedings of the Third State Anti-masonic Convention, of Massa- 
chusetts, Worcester, 1832," p. 27. 

10 



3are^ SparFie 



any original letter or letters, in the hand writing of 
General Washington, addressed to any body of men 
denominating themselves Freemasons. 

"In reply, I can only state that I have seen no 
letters from General Washington of the kind de- 
scribed in yours, nor received any communication on 
the subject, either verbal or written.^ 
"I am, Sir, 

"Very respectfully, 

"Your ob't servant, 
"Jared Sparks/' 

How Sparks could have overlooked the numerous 
entries in the letter books whose numbers and folios 
are here quoted, also the drafts of replies in Wash- 
ington's hand- writing and signed by him (copies of 
which are here given in this work), can only be ac- 
counted for by the fact that he must have been car- 
ried away by the political excitement of the day. 

Washington's connection with the Masonic Fra- 
ternity has been exhaustively traced by Brother 
James M. Lamberton, Past Master of Perseverance 
Lodge, No. 21, in his address "Washington as 
A Freemason," from the day of his entrance into 
Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4, of Virginia, Sep- 
tember 1, 1752, until the day of his death, Decem- 
ber 14, 1799, before the Grand Lodge of Penn- 
sylvania, at its celebration of the Sesqui-Centennial 

5 Vindication of Washington before quoted, p. 13. 

11 



fiDaeonic Corre0pon&ence of Masbtnaton 

Anniversary of the Initiation of Brother Geouge 
Washington into the Fraternity of Freemasons,^ 
held in the Masonic Temple, in the city of Phila- 
delphia on Wednesday, November 5, 1902. 

It must also be remembered that Washington 
made a public profession of his membership in Phila- 
delphia, Monday, December 28, 1778, when he 
walked in procession with his brethren of the Grand 
Lodge of Pennsylvania, from the College at Fourth 
and Arch Streets to Christ Church on Second Street 
above Market Street, Philadelphia, where, after a 
prayer by Rev. William White, a sermon was 
preached for the "[Benefit of the POOR] by ap- 
pointment of and before | The General Communica- 
tion I of I Free and Accepted [ MASONS | of the | 
State of PENNSYLVANIA, 1 on Monday, De- 
cember 28, 1788, 1 Celebrated, agreeable to their Con- 
stitution, I as the Anniversary of | ST. JOHN the 
EA^angelist, | by William Smith, D.D., | Provost of 
the College and Academy of Philadelphia." | 

This Sermon was printed and dedicated to Brother 
Washington and a copy sent to him, which was 
bound with other pamphlets in a volume lettered 
"Masonic Sermons," and is so mentioned in the in- 
ventory of his estate and now in the Boston Athe- 

6 The Ancient Minute Book and Ledger of Fredricksburg Lodge, 
No. 4, in Virginia, of which we have a photostat, is still in possession of 
the Lodge, showing that " George Washington was entered November 
4, 1752, and on November 6, paid for his entrance £2. 3. 0, March 3, 1753, 
George Washington was passed to Fellow-Craft; August 4, 1753, George 
Washington was raised Master Mason." 

12 



Sermons bi? IRev. TOtUlam Smttb 

nffium.^ At this service over four hundred pounds 
were collected for the relief of the poor. 

Rev. Brother William Smith, D.D., preached a 
number of Masonic Sermons in Pennsylvania, Dela- 
ware and Maryland; three of which delivered at the 
request of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania were 
printed, viz.: 

Sermon 1. — On Brotherly Love, &c. Preached 
on the Anniversary of St. John the Baptist, June 
24, 1755, 

Sermon 2. — Preached on Monday, December 28, 
1778, celebrated as the Anniversary of St. John the 
Evangelist. With an Appendix on the Character 
of Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus, 

Sermon 3. — Preached before the Grand Lodge of 
Communication, on St. John the Baptist's day, June 
24, 1795. 

Original copies of the above are in the Library 
of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

Rev. Brother Smith reprinted the above in a 
Volume of Sermons with the following note:^ 

" N. B. The above three Sermons were preached 
at the request of the Grand Lodge of Communica- 
tion, for Pennsylvania, and contains in substance all 
that the Author thinks it necessary to bequeath to 

7 Catalogue of Washington Collection in Boston Athenaeum, Boston, 
1897, p. 185. 

8Cf. "Works of William Smith, D.D.," Philadelphia, 1803, Vol. II, 
pp. 27-88, also " Life and Correspondence of Rev. William Smith, D.D.," 
Philadelphia, 1880, Vol. II, p. 9. Et seq. 

13 



flDaeontc CorreeponDence of Masbington 

the Brotherhood, by way of Sermons, preached at 
different times and in sundry of the neighboring- 
States, during 48 Years past." 

By referring to the following letters and Docu- 
ments it is shown that Washington's interest in 
Freemasonry and the Fraternity continued until the 
time of his death. 

These documents cover the period from 1782 to 
1798. 

As these copies in our possession are photostat 
fac-similes of the original documents in the Library 
of Congress, there can never be any question of cor- 
rectness or of their authenticity. 

The finding and collating of this material will 
settle for all time to come the question of Washing- 
ton's connection with the Ancient Fraternity, and 
his opinion and esteem of Freemasonry. 

The earliest record we have of any Masonic Body 
proposing a masonic address to General Washing- 
ton, was the resolution offered in King David's 
Lodge, No. 1, at Newport, Rhode Island, during 
Washington's visit to Newport in March, 1781, 
while the French Army under Rochambeau was 
quartered there. Washington arrived in Newport 
on the sixth of March and remained there until the 
thirteenth, when he left for Providence by way of 
Bristol. 

It was in anticipation of this visit that the Breth- 
ren of King David's Lodge, of which Brother Moses 

14 




mMmmg 

W. M. KING DAVID'S LODGE, No. 1, NEWPORT, R. I., 1780-1781. 
GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN MASSACHUSETTS, 1788-1793. 



fiDO0e0 notcbael iba^s 



31ichael Hays^ was Worshipful blaster, that a ma- 
sonic greeting to General Washington was pro- 
posed. The following entry from the old Minute 
Book of the Lodge will explain why the project 
failed to materialize. 

Extract rnoM the Recoeds of King David's 
Lodge. 

"Regular Lodge night, held at the house of Mr. 
James Tew, Wednesday evening, the 7th February, 
1781. 5781. 

*' A motion being made that as our worthy brother, 
his Excellency General Washington, was daily ex- 
pected amongst us, a committee should be appointed 
to prepare an address in behalf of the Lodge, to pre- 
sent him. Voted, That the Right Worshipful Mas- 
ter (Moses Michael Hays) together with brothers 
Seixas, Peleg Clark, John Handy, and Robert 
Elliot, be a committee for that purpose, and that 
they present the same to this Lodge at their next 
meeting for their approbation." 

"At a Lodge held by request of the Right Wor- 
shipful Master, Feb. 14th, 1781. 5781, 

" The committee appointed to draught an address 
to our worthy brother, His Excellency General 
Washington, report, that on inquiry they find Gen- 
eral Washington not to be a Grand blaster of North 

9 For an exhaustive sketch of Brother Moses Michael Hays, see The 
American Freemason, Vol. V, p. 576. 

15 



fiDaeontc Correspondence of Masbin^lon 

America; as was supposed, nor even Master of any 
particular Lodge. They are, therefore, of opinion 
that this Lodge would not choose to address him as 
a private brother at the same time, think it would 
not be agreeable to our worthy brother to be ad- 
dressed as such. 

"Voted, That the report of the committee be re- 
ceived, and that the address be entirely laid aside for 
the present."^^ 

Now as to the cause for this uncertainty how to 
address Brother Washington, it will be recalled 
that just at that time, the proposition sent out by the 
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania nominating General 
Washington as Grand Master of all the Colonies, 
was then before the various grand bodies, but did not 
find favor in New England, in fact the Grand Lodge 
of Massachusetts was the chief objector, and finally 
defeated the scheme to elect Washington the Grand 
Master General. ^^ 

The means of intercourse between the different 

10 "Newport, ss. Newport, August 18th, A.D. 1832. I certify that 
the extracts taken from the records of King David's Lodge, Newport, 
contained in the above and three foregoing pages, have been by me com- 
pared with the minutes contained in two books purporting and appear- 
ing to be the original records of said Lodge, and found to be true and 
accurate copies of the same. 

"Quid attestor, "Geo. C. Masok. 

"Jus. Peace and Pub. Not'y." 
Cf. "Antimasonic Republican Convention of Massachusetts held at 
Worcester, September 5-Q, 1833," p. 23. 

11 For a f uU account of this episode, see " Freemasonry in Pennsyl- 
vania," Barratt and Sachse, Philadelphia, 1908, Vol. 1, Chapter XII; 
" Washingtox as General Grand Master," p. 393 et seq. 

16 



Xettere ant) HD^ressee 



Masonic Bodies at that early day were so limited and 
uncertain that it offers a clear explanation for the 
uncertainty under which the brethren of King 
David's Lodge, No. 1, at Newport labored at that 
time. 

During the Anti-Masonic craze in the last cen- 
tury, the above minute was extensively used by the 
political leaders of the Anti-Masonic party to 
strengthen their claim that Washington had never 
presided over any Masonic Lodge. 

Following is a complete list of the Washington 
Masonic Correspondence, thus far found among the 
Washington papers in the Library of Congress. 

Draft of Letter to Watson and Cassoul, Nantes, 
France, August 10, 1782. 

Letter to Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, Virginia, 
December 28, 1783. 

Address from King David's Lodge, No. 1, Rhode 
Island, August 17, 1790, and Washington's Reply. 

Address from St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Newbern, 
North Carohna, April 20, 1791, and his reply. 

Address from Prince George's Lodge (Moderns) 
Georgetown, South Carolina, April 30, 1791, and 
his reply. 

Draft of reply to Grand Lodge of South Carolina, 
May 5, 1791. 

Address from Grand Lodge of Georgia, May 14, 
1791, and his reply. 

3 17 



HDasontc Correepon^ence of Maebtnoton 



Address from Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 
March, 1792, and his reply. 

Address of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 
December 27, 1792, and his reply. 

Address from Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, De- 
cember 27, 1796, and his reply. 

Address from Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, Vir- 
ginia, April, 4, 1797, and his reply. 

Letter to Paul Revere and Grand Officers, April 
24, 1797. 

Draft of Letter to Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 
in reply to an address, April 1797. 

Draft of a reply to an address from the Grand 
Lodge of Maryland, November 8, 1798. 

Letter from G. W. Snyder to Washington, 
August 22, 1798. 

Washington's Reply to Snyder, September 25, 
1798. 

Washington's Reply to Snyder's letter of Octo- 
ber 17, 1798. 




18 




ELKANAH WATSON, 

B. PLYMOUTH, MASS., JANUARY 22, 1758, D. AT PORT KENT, N. Y., DECEMBER 5, 1842, 
WHO, TOGETHER WITH HIS PARTNER CASSOUL, PRESENTED TO WASHINGTON A MASONIC 
APRON MADE BY THE NUNS AT NANTES, FRANCE. 

NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON LODGE, No. 22, VIRGINIA. 




Correspondence with Watson & Cassoul, 
Nantes, France, August, 1782. 

^^^THK earliest letter of General George 
m ■ I Washington of Masonic Import known 
m ^ 1/ is the one written while in camp at New- 
^^^ burgh in New York, dated State of New 
York, August 10, 1782, to the firm of Watson and 
Cassoul in Nantes, France, in which his friend. 
Brother Elkanah Watson was the chief partner, 
thanking the firm for the Masonic Apron and orna- 
ments sent him from Nantes, France. 

This apron is now in the possession of the Alex- 
andria-Washington Lodge, No. 22, at Alexandria, 
Virginia. 

Elkanah Watson in his Memoirs states :^^ 

*' Wishing to pay some mark of respect to our he- 
loved Washington, I employed, in conjunction with 
my friend M. Cossoul, nuns in one of the convents 

13 « Men and Times of the Revolution, or Memoirs of Elkanah Wat- 
son," New York, 1856, pp. 135, 136. 

19 



fiDaeonic Correspondence ot Maebtn^ton 

at Nantes to prepare some elegant INIasonie orna- 
ments, and gave them a plan for combining the 
American and French Flags on the apron designed 
for this use. They were executed in a superior and 
expensive style. We transmitted them to. America, 
accompanied by an appropriate address." 

By the above extract is shown beyond all doubt 
the error in the statement so repeatedly made, that 
the apron at Alexandria is the one made by the 
INIarquise de Lafayette, and presented to Washing- 
ton by General Lafayette, during his visit to 
INIount Vernon in 1784, and the one in the ^luseum 
of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, that of Wat- 
son and Cassoul.^^ 

Following letter was sent to Washington, to- 
gether with the IMasonic Apron and "Ornaments," 
by ^lessrs. Watson and Cassoul, from France under 
date "east of Nantes," 23d 1st Month, 5782.'^ 

" To HIS Excellency, Gener.vl Washington, 
America. 
"Most Illustrious and Fcspccted Brother: 

" In the moment when all Europe admire and feel 
the effects of your glorious efforts in support of 
American liberty, we hasten to offer for your accept- 
ance a small pledge of our homage. Zealous lovers 
of liberty and its institutions, we have experienced 

14 Cf. " Proceedings Grand Lodge of New York," 1867, p. 28. 

15 " :\Icnioirs of Elkaiiah Watson," p. 135. 

20 



Note : — The Masonic Apron presented by Watson 
& Cassoiil to General Washington, August 1782, is 
now in possession of Alexandria- Washington Lodge, 
No. 22, at Alexandria, Virginia. No sketch or 
photograph of same could be obtained for use in this 
work. 



fiDasontc Hpron ant) ©rnaments 



the most refined joy in seeing our chief and brother 
stand forth in its defence, and in defence of a new- 
born nation of RepubHcans. 

"Your glorious career will not be confined to the 
protection of American liberty, but its ultimate 
effect will extend to the whole human family, since 
Providence has evidently selected you as an instru- 
ment in his hands, to fulfill his eternal decrees. 

"It is to you, therefore, the glorious orb of 
America, we presume to offer Masonic ornaments, 
as an emblem of your virtues. May the Grand 
Architect of the Universe be the Guardian of your 
precious days, for the glory of the Western Hemi- 
sphere and the entire universe. Such are the vows 
of those who have the favor to be by all the known 
numbers." 

"Your affectionate brothers, 

"Watson & Cassoul." 

"East of Nantes, 23' 1st Month, 5782." 

Owing to the uncertain intercourse between the 
two countries, it was almost seven months before 
Brother Washington received the Masonic apron, 
ornaments and letter from France. He at that 
time was in camp with the army at Newburg on the 
Hudson/*' 

In reply Washington sent the following auto- 
graph letter to the donors in Nantes, viz. : J 

10 Cf. " Itinerary of General Washington from June 15, 1775, to 
December 23, 1783," by William S. Baker, Philadelphia, 1892, p. 271. 

21 



nDasonic (I:orre0pon^ence of Masbinaton 



'Genr- 



"State of New York 
"Aug' 10^' 1782. 

" The JNIasonick Ornam^ 
"which accompanied your Bro- 
"therly Address of the 23' of 
*' Jai/ last, tho' elegant in 
"themselves, were rendered 
"more valuable by the flattering 
"sentiments, and aifectionate 
"manner, in which they were 
" presented. — 

"If my endeavours to 
"avert the evil, with which this 
" Country was threatned by a 
"deliberate plan of Tyranny, 
" should be crowned with the sue 
"cess that is wished — The praise 
"is due to the Grand Architect 
" of the Universe ; who did not see 
"fit to suffer his superstructures 
"and justice, to be subjected to the 
"Ambition of the Princes of this 
" World, or to the rod of oppression, 
" in the hands of any power upon 
"Earth.— 

"For your affectionate 
"Vows, permit me to be grateful: 
" — and offer mine for true Brothers 



Matson an^ Caesoul 



"in all parts of the world; and 
" to assure you of the sincerity^ 
"with which I am 

■yrs 




"Mess" 

"Watson & Cosson'^ 
"East of Nantes" 

This autograph letter from Washington to 
Messrs. Watson and Cassoul is now in the possession 
of the Grand Lodge of New York, who purchased 
it from a member of the Watson family in the year 
1866 or 1867 at a cost of approximately $1,000, and 
is now framed and secured between two sheets of 
glass in the collection of the Committee of Antiqui- 
ties of the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of New York/' 

It is written upon two pages of an ordinary letter 
sheet, and was a copy of one written by Washing- 
ton, with which he was not entirely satisfied, as 
shown by the changes made in the text before it was 
sent to France. The first copy Washington re- 
tained, and is now in the Library of Congress, and 
is here given for comparison, viz: 

17 It will be noted that on l)oth the draft and letter, WA8HiNGToi<r 
spells the name Cassoul — " Cosson." 

18 Catalogue of Antiquities and Curios, Grand Lodge F. & A. M., 
New York, Class J, No. 1, New York, 1905. 

23 



O-^L-TL ^:^^^^Z^^^ J'i^^^. 



^^y^ ^/^ ^^//ys. 



<^^^r 




^c?^^:?^:^^^ .^2^5^::::^^.-^ .y^y^^"^ 













FAC-snuii: op tui: OnuiiNAi. Dhai i- dv Wasuinhixin's Lk-: 







i 



^ 
^ 







.^ 



>^ 












TER TO Watson and Cassoul, New York, August 10, 1782. 



noaoontc (loiHCDponDcncc ot Maobinoton 

*' Sta'I'K ok Nkw York, 
"acnr., "Aug' 10'" 1782. 

" The IMasoiiick Ornii- 
"incMils whicli lUTompanird your 
*' Hrotluily AddiTss of the *j;r'. 
"of [\\c first Miontli, tho' ek\i;nut 
"in lluMusrlvcs, werr nMuliMrd 
"more vnljinble by Ihc llalleriui*" 
"seiitiniciils. juul nllVelloriale 
*'inaiuuM-, iu wliicli tlicy were 
*'oirere(l.— 

" I r mv endeavours fo 
*'av(il llie c\\\, \\\\\\ nliieh 
"llu's C'ounlry >vas Ihrt^alned, by 
*' a (lebberaie plan ol' Tyranny, 
"should be erowned witli the 
" sueeess that is wished tlie 
"praise is due to tht* CiVaiul 
" Arcli'ili'cl ol' the Universe; who 

sei* lit to 
**did not/'NsufTtM- his superstruc 
"tures iV; justie(\ to bt* subjeeted 

ambition o\' the Vriuees o^ this world — or 

"to the /\ rod o\' oppri\ssion, in tlie 

"hands o'i any power uj)on V'arth. 

!*\)r your alVtH'tionale 

"\()\vs. ptMiuIl \\\c to be LiratiM'ul; 

"and olVei' miiu' lor true Hrolliers 

"in all parts ol' llu^ world; and 
'2k\ 



Matoon anD daosoul 



"to assure you of the sincerity 
"with which 1 nin. 




]<iiul()rsed 

to 
"Mess™. Watson i^ 
" Cossoii — N antes 

"10"' Aug' 1782." 

A |)hotograj)liie fae-slinile of the lellcr now in 
New York, and a pholoslat of the ori^^inal eopy 
retained by VVASiiiNCJroN are in tlie eoileelion of 
the (irand liod/^c of Peiujsylvania. 

'I'he linn of W'alson and C'assoul oC Nnntes, 
Franee, aeled as eonlidential a<»ents of the Ameri- 
can (Jovernnient (hiring- the Hevohilionary |)eri()d, 
as is shown by their eorrespondcnee with Itenjainin 
Franklin in the 1^'rankhn INlss. eolleetion ol' lite 
Anieriean rinl()S()|)liieaI Soeiety."* l<ilkjinjili Wat- 
son was also a b( juhm- ol' despatehes to Dr. l*'ranklin. 

II' cr. " ealcudiir of llic I'mixts of Hciijimiiii l''iimkliii in lli«" Mliniry 
of \\\c Aiiu-riciMi I'liilosopliitiil Soiirty," (-(litcil by I. Minis 1 InyH, Voliiiiic 
V, p. SI J. 



27 







II 

COKUKSI'ONDKNCM'', WITH i\ l,l<'XAN 1)1(1 A TiOlK.K, No. 39, 

ViiujiNiA, l)ix KiMin:!}, 1783. 

^^^fl^ll Vj luxl IM.Msoiiic LtlUr oC l^nvtlier Wasii- 
m I I 'N(;r()N of wliicli we liavc niiy kFi()vvlc(I<»'e 
^L^^^ is |!k' OIK' wrillcM in answer to n letter 
sent Iiiin, upon liis I'eliiiii lo ei\ II life by 
llie Hrellii-eii of l.od^-e No. 31), on llie register of llic 
(irnnd Lo(I«^'e of Peiuisyh Miiia, wliieli niel. nl. iVIex- 
andriji, Virninia. 

Deeeiulur li3, 1783, Cenernl AVasiitncjton pre- 
sented liimseir lo ''The Uniled States in Con«;ress 
Assembled," al Anna[)olis, Maryland, and resigned 
his C\)niiuission that he had reeeived on .Jnne 17, 
177r>, as C'oinniaiuler-iii-Chicl' oi' the Armies ol' the 
United States. 

Upon Uiuislmas l^'ve he relnrned to INlount Ver- 
non, \vherenj)on the lirelhren at Alexandria, who, it 
mnst l)e i-ememhered, were workini;' undiM- a Penn- 
sylvania \\'airanl, at oiu'e sent the following- Ad- 

28 



xcttcr to xoDoc mo. 30 



dress signed by the Officers of Lodge No. 89, to 
Brother VVasiiin(JTON at Mount Vernon,"*' viz.: 

*' Sir: Whilst all denominations of j>e()j)le bless the 
happy occasion of your excellency's relurrt to enjoy 
private and domestic i'elieity, permit us, sir, the uiem- 
bers of Lodge; No. .*J1), lately established in y\le\'- 
andria, to assure your excellency, that we, as a mys- 
tical body, rejoice in having a brother so near us, 
whose ])reeminent benevolence has secured the hjip|)i- 
ness of millions; and thai; we shall esUem ourselves 
highly honored al; all limes yoin- excellency shall be 
pleased lo join us in llic; needful business." 

"We have the honor to be, in the name and behalf 
of No. .39, your excellency's 

"Devoted friends and })rothers, 

" JiojJKR'r A HAM, M. 

"E. C. Dkk, *S'. W. 
"J. AiJJsoN, J. W. 
" Wm. IIamsay, Trcas." 
"Ills Excellency General Washington." 

Two days later Brother Wastttnoton sent fol- 
lowing r(;])ly,"' viz.: 

21) Cf. "Old MfiSDiiic \.<}(\jj^fH of PPMHsylvania— Morlcrns and Ancirnls," 
Julius F. Sficlisc, IM.iladclpliiu, 1<)I:{, Vol. II, p. 1.07. Also Vida " Wiisli- 
iiigton llic Man and llic Mason," hy Charles II. Callalian, i»nl)!islicd under 
the ausy)ic-cs of llu; "Memorial 'reniplc (!onunince of Hie (Jeorge Wasli- 
lufrUm Masonic National Memorial Assoeiation," Washington, I). C, lOI.'l. 

•-•1 Original anionjr Washington relies in Alexandria-WaHliington Lodge. 
No. 22, Alexandria, Virginia. l''ae-similc in Washington eollcction of 
(Irand l-odge of I'cnnsylvania. 

29 



fiDaeontc CorrcsponDence ot TOasbington 

"Mount Vernon 28'*^ Dec^ 1783. 
Gentlemen: 

"With pleasing sensibility 
" I received your favor of the 26*^, and 
" beg leave to offer you my sincere thanks 
"for the favorable sentiments with 
"which it abounds. — 

" I shall always feel pleasure 
" when it may be in my power to ren- 
" der service to Lodge N° 39, and in 
" every act of brotherly kindness to the 
"Members of it; being with great truth. 
"Your affect^ Brother 
"and Obed* Servant 

-^i^ — x>^ ^^y ' 

" RoV Adam Esq' Master, 

"& the Wardens & Treas' ^. , 

"of Lodge N° 39." 

No copy of either address nor reply of this corre- 
spondence has thus far been found among the Wash- 
ington papers in the Library of Congress, by the 
present writer. 

Brother Robert Adam, the Master of Alexandria 
Lodge, No. 39, was a Son of the Rev. John Adam, 
D.D., and Janet Campbell, of Kelbride, Scotland, 
was born May 4, 1731; he emigrated to America in 
1753, and, after a short residence at Annapolis, Md., 

30 




^^^t^^^pu^^^^yz^^U^^^^ 











Washingtok's Reply to Alexandria Lodge, No. 39. Original in 
Alexandria- Washington Lodge, No. 22, Alexandria, Virginia. 

31 



flOasonic CorrceponDence of Maeblngton 

establislied himself at a pleasant country residence 
in Fairfax County, Virginia, about four miles from 
Alexandria. He was a gentleman of refined taste, 
cultivation and wealth, and interested himself in 
everything that coidd promote the prosperity of his 
adopted home. 

It apj)ears that during his residence at Annapolis, 
he was made a IMason in a clandestine or irregular 
Lodge, and in the year 1783 applied for a dispensa- 
tion from the Grand Master of Pennsylvania, to 
apply to Lodge No. 2, for initiation and member- 
ship. 

Brother Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick, Senior Warden 
of Lodge No. 39, was a native of Pennsylvania, born 
near JNIarcus Hook, in Delaware County, about 
1753, and died at Alexandria, Va., September 22, 
1825. He was a son of Archibald Dick, a member 
of Lodge No. 2 at Philadelphia, and joined the same 
Lodge, September 15, 1779.-' Brother Elisha C. 
Dick was a graduate of the old Pequea Academy, 
and of the College of Pennsylvania. He began the 
study of medicine under Drs. William Shippen and 
Benjamin Rush. After graduating he settled in 
Alexandria, Va., and at once became active in ]Ma- 
sonic circles in that city, and was instrumental in 
having the petition presented to the Grand Lodge 
of Pennsylvania for a warrant, which was granted 

22 Klishca C. Dick's petition was presented in Lodp;e No. 2, September 
14, 1779, aj)proved and eiilered by virtue of a disjiensation from the 
Grand Master, September 15; passed and raised, September 23. "Free- 
masonry in Pennsylvania," Vol. I, pp. 352, 353. 

32 



Brctbrcn ot Xo^oe H^o. 39 



imdcr llic luiiiic tiiul niuiibcr "Alexandria Lodge 
No. 39." 

Upon the records of llie Tiodge, l^rother Dick 
appears as both predecessor and successor of Brother 
Washington as Master. Brother Dick was the 
first c()nsultin«»- physician in Washington's last 
illness, and also conducted the Masonic services at 
Wasiiincjton's funeral on Dcceinher IS, 1701). A 
biography of Dr. Dick is in the Library of the 
(Irand I^odge of Pennsylvania. 

Brother John Allison, tlie Junior Warden of 
Lodge No. 39, had served as Major in the 1st Vir- 
ginia State Regiment, and later as T^ieutenant 
Colonel. 

Ih-other William liamsay. Treasurer of liodge 
No. 39, was an old personal friend of Wasiiincjton. 

For a history of Alexandria Tiodge, No. 39, war- 
ranted by the (irand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Feb- 
ruary 3, 1783, which was constituted on the second 
floor of a large three-story frame building, known 
as the "Tjamb Tavern," on the twenty-fifth of Feb- 
ruary, 1783, the Masonic student is referred to "Old 
Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," Philadelphia, 
1913, Chapter XLVI, pp. 153-1()8. 

This tavern was situated on the west side of 
Union Street, between Prince and Duke Streets, 
Alexandria, the site of which is tiovv known as No. 
55 South Union Street." 

2.!Cf. " Tlie L()(I^;o of Washington," by F. I.. TJrockct, Alcxandrid, 
Va., 1H7(). 

4 83 




Ill 



Correspondence with Alexandria Lodge, No. 89, 
Virginia, June, 1784. 

^^^'I^IIE next Washington letter of Masonic 
m 1 I import in chronological order is his reply 
^L^^ to an invitation to join the brethren of 
^^^ Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, in the cele- 
bration of St. John the Baptist's Day, June 24, 
1784, to which Washington sent the following 
reply, accepting the fraternal invitation. 



"Mount Vernon, June 19, 1784.^^ 

"Dear Sir: With pleasure, I received the invita- 
tion of the master and members of Lodge No. 39, to 
dine Avith them on the approaching anniversary of 
St. John the Baptist. If nothing unforeseen at 
present interferes, I will have the honor of doing it. 
For the polite and flattering terms in which you 

1*4 " Washington and his Masonic Compeers," by Sidney Hayden, New 
York, 1866, p. 104. 

34 



-. .,/l>i^ 




a I 



Maebington a penn0)?lvania jfreeman 



have expressed their wishes, you will please aecept 
my thanks." 

"With esteem and respcet, 
" I am, dear sir, 

" Your most Oh't serv't 




"Wm. Ilerhert, Esquire." 

No copy of this invitation nor acceptance, has thus 
far heen found among the Washington papers. 

The original of this letter is also said to he among 
the relics of Alexandria- Washington Lodge, No. 22. 
As no facsimile copy was ohtainahle, an engrossed 
copy for same was suhstituted in the collection of 
Grand Ijodge of Pennsylvania. 

This han(|uet was held at Wise's tavern^'^ and was 
particij)ated in hy Washington, who upon this 
festive occasion was elected an honorary Memher of 
Lodge No. 39, upon the Pennsylvania register, and 
thus hecame a Pennsylvania Frecmascm, and his 
name is duly recorded as sueh upon the minutes of 
Lodge No. .30. 

This fact further eontradiets the Anti-Masonic 

2B John Wise's tavern, in wliicli tlie uhovc Masonic banquet was held. 
Is a lnrfz;c tliree-story hri<-k biiildiiif:: still standing on hif^h j^roiind at the 
northeast corner of Cameron and l"'airfax Streets, Alexandria. At that 
time it had an unobstructed view of the Potoinac. 

35 



fiDasonic Corrc0pont)ence of Masbington 

arguments based upon the Snyder letter so exten- 
sively used during the years 182G-1833, that Wash- 
ington never belonged to any Masonic Lodge, after 
his initiation in the Fredericksburg Lodge in 1752. 

The above note as recorded upon the Minutes of 
Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, shows that Washington 
was in complete harmony with the Masonic Fra- 
ternity; further, that by his acceptance of member- 
ship, Washington became a Pennsylvania Mason. 

Among the clierished relics in the Alexandria 
Lodge, there is none more valuable than the Masonic 
portrait of Brother Washington, which forms the 
frontispiece of this volume. This was painted from 
life in pastel, by William Williams, at Philadelphia 
in 1794. 

In the year 1910 a facsimile of this portrait was 
made in oil by Miss Fanny M. Burke, an artist of 
repute, and a great-granddaughter of Thomas Jef- 
ferson. This replica made for the Grand Lodge of 
Pennsylvania is the only one ever made of this por- 
trait and shows Brother Washington as a man and 
Mason, neither heroized nor idealized.^" 

26 Vide " Abstract of Proceedings of the Proceedings Grand Lodge 
of Pennsylvania, During the Year 1910," pp. 110-117. 



.A^fe^ 



:^f^74=M^ 




3G 





BV JEAN ANTOINE HOUDON, 1786. 




IV 

Correspondence with King David's Lodge, No. 1, 
Rhode Island, August, 1790. 

^^^p^HE next correspondence in chronological 
m g order is the letter, sent in reply to the 

^lJV^ Address delivered by the Brethren of 
""""^ King David's Lodge, No. 1, at Newport, 
Rhode Island, to President Washington, August 
17, 1790, during his visit to New England. 

By referring to the Minutes of this old Lodge 
following entry is found: 

"At a Lodge, called by request of several Breth- 
*'ren on Tuesday evening, August 17, 5790, an 
"Entered Apprentice Lodge being opened in due 
"form proceeded to business, when it was proposed 
"to address the President of the United States. 
"The R. W. Master (Moses Seixas) Henry Sher- 
"burne, and the Secretary, [William Littlefield] 

37 



fiDasonic CorreeponDence ot XKHaebinaton 

" were appointed a committee for that purpose, after 
"which the Lodge closed."^^ 

/ Following address was prepared and according to 
local tradition was publicly presented, by the Com- 
mittee to President Washington, in the Venerable 
Sanctuary of the Jewish Congregation at Newport; 
the Brethren of King David's Lodge being present: 

" To George Washington^ President of the United 

States of America. 

"We the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of 
" King David's Lodge in New Port Rhode Island 
"with joyful hearts embrace this opportunity to 
" greet you as a Brother, and to hail you welcome 
"to Rhode Island. We exult in the thought that 
"as Masonry has always been patronised by the 
" wise, the good, and the great, so that it stood 
" and ever will stand, as its fixtures are on the 
" immutable pillars of faith, hope, and charity. 

"With unspeakable pleasure we gratulate 
"you as filling the presidential chair with the 
" applause of a numerous and enlightened people 
" Whilst at the same time we felicitate ourselves 
" in the honor done the brotherhood by your many 
" exemplary virtues and emanations of goodness 
" proceeding from a heart worthy of possessing 

27 A copy of the Extracts from the Records of King David's Lodge, 
No. 1, as made by Ara Hildreth, Esq., is in the Archives of the Grand 
Lodge of Pennsylvania, Mss. Volume Q, R.I. 7. 

Cf. also a verified copy of the Minute in " Proceedings of the Anti- 
masonic Republican Convention of Massachusetts, Boston, 1832," p. 23. 

38 



Ikfng 35)avi^*0 Xot)fie, mo. i 



"the ancient mysteries of our craft; being persuaded 
" that the wisdom and grace with which heaven 
"has endowed you, will square all your thoughts, 
" words, and actions by the eternal laws of honor, 
" equity, and truth, so as to promote the advancement 
" of all good works, your own happiness, and that 
" of mankind. 

"Permit us then, illustrious Brother, 
"cordially to salute you with three times three 
"and to add our fervent supplications that the 
" sovereign architect of the universe may always 
"encompass you with his holy protection. 

" Moses Seixas^^ Master 
" New Port Aug' 17, 1790. Committee, 

"H^ Sherburne 
"By order 

" W^ LiTTLEFIELD, Sed'/* 

Brother Moses Seixas was born in New York, 
March 28, 1744; died in New York City, November 
29, 1809. He was a merchant in Newport, Rhode 
Island, and one of the founders of the Newport 
Bank of Rhode Island, of which he was cashier until 
his death. He succeeded Brother Moses M. Hays 
as Worshipful Master of King David's Lodge at 
Newport. He was also the first Grand Master of 
the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island. It was Moses 
Seixas who addressed a letter of welcome in the 

28 Vide " The Jews and Masonry in the United States," by Samuel 
Oppenheim, New York, 1810, p, 22 et seq. 

39 



flOaeonic Corrc0pon^encc of Masbington 

name of the Jewish congregation to Geokge Wash- 
ington when the latter visited Newport, and it was 
to him that Washington's answer was addressed. 

The Town Hall at Newport being out of repair 
at that time the ancient Jewish Synagogue on the 
main street was used, upon that and several other 
public occasions. It is an interesting fact that this 
sacred edifice is still preserved in the same condition 
as it was during the Colonial period. 
\ So far as known this address was the first of Ma- 
sonic import made to Washington as President. 
Unfortunately, the exact date of presentation and 
receipt of his answer is not known to a certainty, as 
there does not appear to be any date upon either the 
original documents or the copies in Washington's 
letter book."^ ' 

The original address and Washington's reply to 
the Master, Wardens and Brethren of King David's 
Lodge in Newport, the latter signed in autograph by 
Washington, are in the Athenaeum collection at 
Boston, JNIassachusetts.^^ 

Following copy of the President's answer is taken 
from his letter book.^*^ Both address and answer in 
the letter book are in the handwriting of Major 
William Jackson, secretary to the President. 

A photostat of the original entry is in the Archives 

29 Cf. " Catalogue of the Washington Collection in the Boston Athe- 
naeum," Boston, 1897, p. 331. 
3oLetterbook II, p. 29. 

40 



Fac-simile of Reply to King David's Lodge, Xo. 1, Newport, R. I. 
Letter Book II, Folio 29. 




flDasontc (^orre0pon^encc of Maebington 

of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. It will be 
noted that there is neither place nor date given. 

President Washington arrived at Newport, R. I., 
at eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, August 17, 
1790. On the next day, Wednesday, the President 
and his suite left on the Packet " Hancock " at nine 
o'clock in the morning for Providence. 

His company consisted of Governor Clinton of 
New York, Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, 
Senator Theodore Foster, Judge Blair, Mr. Smith 
of South Carolina and Mr. Gorman of New Hamp- 
shire; members of Congress.^ ^ 

Washington left Providence, Saturday, August 
21, and arrived in New York upon the following 
day, Sunday, August 22, 1790,^^ and sent the follow- 
ing reply to the Newport Bretliren: 

r To THE Master, Wardens, and Brethren of 
" King Davids Lodge in Newport Rhode Island." 

" Gentlemen, 

" I receive the welcome which you 
"give me to Rhode Island with pleasure, and I 
"acknowledge my obligations for the flattering 
" expressions of regard, contained in your address, 
"with grateful sincerity. 

"Being persuaded that a just 
" application of the principles, on which the Masonic 

31 Cf . " Washington after the Revolution," W. S. Baker, Philadelphia, 
1898, p. 192. 

32 Cf. Pennsylvania Packet, August 30-31 1790. 

42 



lProvtC)ence an^ mevoport, 1R. fl. 

"Fraternity is founded, must be promotive of 
"private virtue and public prosperity, I shall 
"always be happy to advance the interests of 
" the Society, and to be considered by them as 
" a deserving brother. 

"My best wishes. Gentlemen, are offered 
"for your individual happiness."^^^ 




32a Copy of Address in Letter Book II, pp. 27-28, Photostat of same 
in Archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 



i? 



BROTHER, 

^ X OU are defircd to meet the Master and Bne-fJ 
[thren of^ I^ DCE No. 39, Ancient YoRt Ma- 

JsONJ, ^'^^JUC '2^^^*-' 

itt / o'clock this Evcning.V 



By Ordcx of the Mailer, 



Alexandria, 



^^^-^^-"■"^eotetary. 



Fac-simile of Notice sent to Brother Washikgton at Mount Vernon 
TO Attend his Lodge. Treasured by the Wife of President Madi- 
son until her Death. Original in Archives of Grand Lodge 
OF Pennsylvania. Mss. Vol. A, Folio 81. 



43 




"^^QU 



WAm \i 



Vot^' 



V 

Correspondence with St. John's Lodge, No. 2, 
AT Newbern, ]Sr. C, April, 1791. 



HE next Masonic letter of President 

m 1 Washington was written, in answer to 

^Lj^^ / an address by the brethren of St. John's 

^™^ Lodge, No. 2, at Newbern, North Caro- 

hna, during his southern tour in 1791. 

April 7, 1791, Washington started on a tour 
through tlie Southern States, by way of Fredericks- 
burg, Richmond, and Petersburg, Virginia; Hali- 
fax, Tarborough, Newbern, and Wilmington, North 
Carolina; Georgetown, and Charleston, South Caro- 
lina; and Savannah, Georgia. 

When advice of this proposed presidential visit 
reached Newbern, the brethren of St. John's Lodge, 
No. 2,^^ at the stated meeting held on April 1, 1791, 
passed the following resolution. "^ Resolved, that an 

S3 In the latter part of the eighteenth eentury, St. John's Lodge, No. 
2, at Newbern, was very active, at which time it built a two-story 
theatre and Masonic Hall, and took part in a number of local matters. 

44 



Hrrival at IRewbern, H» C. 



address shall be presented to Brother George Wash- 
ington, in behalf of this Lodge, on his arriving in 
this town."^^ 

Uj)on his arrival at ISTewbern, IST. C, April 20, 
following address was presented to the President,^^ 
Avhich, together with the reply, has thus far never 
been in print or noted: 

" To THE President of the United States of 
America. 

"The Address of St Johns Lodge No. 2 of 
Newbern. 
"Right Worshipful Sir, 

"We the Master, Officers, and Members of S*. 
"Johns Lodge No 2, of Newbern, beg leave to hail 
"you welcome with three times three. 

"We approach you not with the language of 
"adulation, but sincere fraternal affection — your 
"works having proved you to be the true and faith- 
" ful brother, the skilful and expert Craftsman, the 
"just and upright man. But the powers of elo- 
"quence are too feeble to express with sufficient 
"energy the cordial warmth with which our bosoms 
"glow toward you. 

" We therefore most ardently wish, most fervently 
"and devoutly pray. That the Providence of the 

34 Extract from Minutes by Brother J. F. Rhem, M.D., Newbern, 
N. C. 

35 Letter Book 2, pp. 47-48 in Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; 
photostat in Archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

45 



fiDasontc Corre0pon^ence ot Maebin^ton 






Fac-simile of Addeess from St. John's Lodge, No. 



46 



Xetter 36ooft IRo. li 



rf Ac^ A^C/Ct^tsCcZi^^ - /)^e^ty ^f^t**. -iW*^ /^ ^^^Z^a^^ ^^^^«y^<J 

A^t^ '^tZ ^^^Z^^^tt^ ^ /^CT4^ X//*^<^ U/^U-ajC ^irt^ ^*^^'7XZ. 

'U^^!/ /Ct^ ^^^/r^ /^^(^ .^^r^^^c -^2. ^^c^it.A^*t^ ^Z^-C/fyicX 

^a^ ^^^ZTz-^^^e^ ^1^ £/r^^e^ ^ /*^^^^yU£ce^t^ y^>»<£^ ^^ 

^Z^rrt^/fu, y^<^^, <^^./5«^fe<^^ ^^>^^^f^ft^^ J'^^.^^zJTC^ 



3, Newbern, N. C. Letteb Book II, Folio 47-48. 



47 



fiDaeontc (Torreepon^ence ot Maebington 

"most high may strengthen, establish, and protect 
"you, in your walk through this life; and when you 
"shall be called off from your terrestrial labours by 
"command of our divine grand master, and your 
" operations sealed with the mark of his approbation, 
"may your soul be eternally refreshed with the 
"streams of living water which flow at the right 
"hand of God, and when the supreme architect of 
"all worlds shall collect his most precious jewels as 
"ornaments of the celestial Jerusalem, may you 
"everlastingly shine among those of the brightest 
" lustre. 

"We are in our own behalf, and that of the 
" Members of this Lodge, 

"Right worshipful Sir; 
" St Johns Lodge No. 2. 

"Your true and faithful brethren 
"April 20"^ 5791. 

" Isaac Guion Master, 

" Samuel Chapman Senior Warden. 

"William Johnston, Junior Warden. 
" Solomon Halling, Edav. Pasteuk, Ja^ Carney, 

f. lowthrop. 

''Members of the Committee. 

Brothers: Isaac Guion, Worshipful Master, Sam« 

uel Chapman, Senior Warden, William Johnston, 

Junior Warden, and Solomon Hailing, signers to 

above petition had all seen service in the Continental 

48 



IRepl^ to St 3obn'0 Xobge, mo. 2 

Army dui'ing the Revolutionary War. Brother 
Guion served as Surgeon and Paymaster; Brother 
Chapman, Captain in 8th North Carohna, serving 
until the close of the War; Brother Johnston, Cap- 
tain in North Carolina Militia and present at Kings 
Moimtain. 

Brother Hailing was Surgeon of the 4th Carolina 
Regiment and served until the close of the War. 

Washington's Reply^^ to the Bkethren of St. 
John's Lodge. 

"To the Master, Wardens, and Members of S^ 

"John's Lodge No. 2 of Newbern. 
" Gentlemen, 

" I receive the cordial welcome which you 
"are pleased to give me with sincere gratitude. 

"My best ambition having ever aimed at 
"the unbiassed approbation of my fellow-citizens, 
" it is peculiarly pleasing to find my conduct 
" so affectionately approved by a fraternity whose as- 
"sociation is founded in justice and benevolence. 

" In reciprocating the wishes contained 
" in your address, be persuaded that I offer a sincere 
*lpLrayer for your present and future happiness. 




36 Ibid., p. 49 ; photostat in Archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 
5 49 



fiDaeontc Corresponbencc of Maebtngton 



"At the following Meeting of St. John's Lodge, 
No. 2, April 29, 1791, the Master laid before the 
Lodge the answer of Brother George Washington 
ordered that it be read, which being done. Resolved 
that it be entered on Minutes of this Lodge."" 
"The Address to Brother Washington and his an- 
swer are both on the Minutes of the Lodge. The 
original letter may have been lost during the late 
unpleasantness, as the Lodge lost nearly everything 
it possessed." 



"38 



37 Extract from Minutes by Brother J. F. Rhem, M.D., Newbern, 
N. C. 

38 Brother J. F. Rhem, Newbern, N. C, in letter to Brother A. B. 
Andrews, Jr., December 14, 1914. 




50 





VI 

Correspondence with Prince George's Lodge, 
No. 16, Georgetown, S. C, April, 1791. 

'ASHINGTON left Newbern, North 
Carolina, under an escort of horse, 
April 22, 1791, and arrived at George- 
town, South Carolina, by way of Wil- 
mington, N. C, Saturday, April 30, where he was 
received with a salute of cannon, and by a company 
of infantry, and during the afternoon was presented 
with the following address, by a Committee of 
Prince George's Lodge, No. 16 (Moderns), of 
Georgetown, South Carolina. 

This Lodge was one of the original six Lodges, 
which had been warranted prior to 1756 in South 
Carolina, under the Jurisdiction of the Provincial 
Grand Lodge, and through it, the Grand Lodge of 
England. It is the only instance where a Lodge of 
the " Moderns" addressed Brother Washington: 

51 



fiOa0onic Corrcepon^cnce of Masbinoton 



"To Our illustrious Brother George Wash- 
ington. 

"President of the United States. 

" At a time when aW men are emulous to approach 
"you to express the hvcly sensations you inspire as 
" the Father of our country. Permit us the Brethren 
"of Prince Geor<re's Lodge No. IG to have our share 
" in the general happiness in welcoming you to 
" Georgetown, and the pleasure of reflecting that we 
"behold in you the liberator of our country, the 
"distributor of its equal laws, and a Brother of our 
"most ancient and most honorable Order. 

"At the same time indulge us in congratulating 
"you on the truly honorable and happy situation in 
"wliich you now stand, as the Grand Conductor of 
"the political interests of these United States. 

" Having by your manly efforts caused the beau- 
" teous light of liberty to beam on this western hemi- 
" sphere, and by the wisdom Heaven has graciously 
"endowed j^ou with established the liberties of 
"America on the justest and firmest basis that was 
"ever yet recorded in the annuals of history, you 
"now enjoy the supremest of all earthly happiness 
"that of diffusing peace, liberty, and safety to mil- 
" lions of your fellow-citizens. 

"As a true reward for your patriotic, noble and 
*' exalted services we fervently pray the Grand Archi- 
"tect of the universe long to bless you with health, 
"stability, and power to continue you the Grand 

52 



Ht)Dre0s ot prince (5covqc'6 %o^qc 



" Pillar of the arch of liberty in this vast empire, 
"which you have been so eminently distinguished in 
*' raising to this pitch of perfection at which we now 
"behold it. 

"May the residue of your life be spent in ease 
" content and happiness, and as the Great Parent of 
"these United States may you long live to see your 
"children flourish under your happy auspices and 
"may you be finally rewarded with eternal happiness. 
"We conclude our present address with a fervent 
"wish that you will continue as you have hitherto 
"been, the friend of our ancient and honorable 
" Order, and of all worthy Masons. 

I. White 

R. Grant Committee from 

A^. Cohen Prince George's Lodge. 

Jos. Blyth. 

J. Carson. 

" George Town 30^" April 1791." 

Of the above signers, three of the brethren had 
served in the War for Independence, viz.: Brother 
Isaac White, Lieutenant in North Carolina Militia 
at Kings Mountain; Brother Reuben Grant, Ensign 
in the 6th North Carolina Infantry, and Brother 
Joseph Blythe, Surgeon in 1st North Carolina Regi- 
ment, taken prisoner at Charleston, May 12th, 1780; 
exchanged June 14, 1781; in 4th North Carolina in 
February, 1782, and served to close of war. 

53 



'^^^^^^^y^ ^ '^^^^ ,/K-rt>*<^ .^/^r-zy^ ca^^^J /^^ ^^^i^^TZFT^^tZ*^ 
/u/^/- a7::> y^^-^^y'^ ^y/^^ M^^ <^^^^ ^*c^ ^cj^ t^^^^z^^c^ 

Fac'-simu.k ok Aumu'.ss fuom the Bhetiirex of Prince Geouc.e's Loih'.e, 



Folio 






'^rX^J^y^ 



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^ 



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c^^^c^ ay J;^^^^L. /Cta^ 







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No. I((, (Ji;()ii(;i;'i()w.v, South ("akoi.i na, Aimiii,, I70I. Li;tti;h Booic TI, 
6!)-G0. 



flOaeontc CoircsponDcncc of Maehiuaton 

The following reply unfortunately bears no date. 
Both address and reply were entered in Washington 
Letter Book, No. II, folio 60-Gl. It is not known 
what has became of the originals. No notice or 
copies of either of the above documents have thus far 
been published. 

Washington's Reply. 

"To THE Brethren of Prince George's Lodge, 

No. 16. 
''Gentlemen: 

" The cordial welcome which you give me 
"to George Town, and the congratulations, you are 
" pleased to offer on my election to the chief 
" magistracy receive my grateful thanks. 

"I am much obliged by your good wishes 
" and reciprocate them with sincerity, assuring the 
" fraternity of my esteem, I request them to believe 
"that I shall always be ambitious of being considered 
" a deserving Brother. 




^^^^^^^^^ 



m 





m 








Ml 




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|BBBB||^BAtv.jr''.jM.'^aBsa \^ffi^^B^^^^^^^^^^| 







./- 



lJ 



GENERAL MORDECAI GIST. 

B. BALTIMORE, MD., 1743. D. CHARLESTON, S. C, 1792. 



WHO, AS GRAND MASTER OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SIGNED THE ADDRESS 
TO BROTHER WASHINGTON. 




VII 

Correspondence with Grand Lodge of South 
Carolina, May, 1791. 

PRESIDENT Washington left George- 
town at six o'clock in the evening, May 
1, 1791, reaching Charleston, South 
Carolina, Monday, JVIay 2, in a twelve- 
oared barge rowed by tAvelve American 
captains of ships accompanied by a great number of 
boats with gentlemen and ladies in them, and two 
boats with music.^^ Brother Washington re- 
mained in Charleston until May 9. 

Wednesday, May 4, 1791, General Mordecai Gist, 
an old companion in arms of Washington, and 
formerly Master of the Military Lodge in the Mary- 
land line (No. 27 upon the register of Pennsyl- 
vania),^^ but now Grand Master of the Grand 
Lodge of Ancient York Masons of South Carolina, 

39 Washington's Diary. 

40 Cf. " Old Masonic Lodges in Pennsylvania," Philadelphia, 1913, 
Vol. 2, p. 53 et seq. 

57 



flOasonic Correspondence of Maebtnoton 

attended by the other present and past grand offi- 
cers/^ waited on their beloved brother, the president 
of the United States, and presented the following 
address:'*^ 

^' Sir — Induced by a respect for your public and 
private character, as well as the relation in which 
you stand with the brethren of this society, we the 
Grand Lodge of the State of South Carolina, An- 
cient York Masons, beg leave to offer our sincere 
congratulations on your arrival in this state. 

"We felicitate you on the establishment and ex- 
ercise of a permanent government, whose foundation 
was laid under your auspices by military achieve- 
ments, upon which have been progressively reared 
the pillars of the free republic over which you pre- 
side, supported by wisdom, strength, and beauty 
unrivalled among the nations of the world. 

" The fabric thus raised and committed to your 
superintendence, we earnestly wish may continue to 
produce order and harmonj'" to succeeding ages, and 
be the asylum of virtue to the oppressed of all parts 
of the universe. 

"When we contemplate the distresses of war, the 
instances of humanity displayed by the Craft afford 

41 Brother William Drayton, Past Grand Master; Brother Mordecai 
Gist, Grand Master; Brother Thomas B. Boweii, Deputy Grand Master; 
Brother George Miller, Senior Grand Warden; Brother John Mitchell, 
Junior Grand Warden; Brother Thomas Gates, Grand Chaplain; Brother 
Robert Knox, Grand Treasurer; Brother Alexandrer Alexander, Grand 
Secretary; Brother Israel Meyers, Grand Tiler. 

42 Citt/ Gazette, Friday, May 6, 1791, p. 2, column 4. 

58 



Ht Cbarleeton, South Carolina 



some relief to the feeling mind; and it gives us the 
most pleasing sensation to recollect, that amidst the 
difficulties attendant on your late military stations, 
you still associated with, and patronized the Ancient 
Fraternity. 

" Distinguished always by your virtues, more than 
the exalted stations in which you have moved, we 
exult in the opportunity you now give us of hailing 
you brother of our Order, and trust from your 
knowledge of our institution, to merit your counte- 
nance and supi^ort. 

"With fervent zeal for your happiness, we pray 
that a life so dear to the bosom of this society, and 
to society in general, may be long, very long pre- 
served; and when you leave the temporal symbolic 
lodges of this world, may you be received into the 
celestial lodge of light and perfection, where the 
Grand Master Architect of the Universe presides. 
"Done in behalf of the Grand Lodo-e. 

_ "M. Gist, G. M."'^ 

"Charleston, 2d May, 1791." 

To this address Washington returned the follow- 
ing reply.^^ 

"Gentlemen: — I am much obliged by the respect 
which you are so good as to declare for my public 

43 For full account of Lodge 27 and Brother Gist, vide " Old Masonic 
Lodges of Pennsylvania," before quoted. Vol. II, pp. 53-63. 

41 Cf. Hayden, "Washington and his Masonic Compeers," p. 135. 

59 



flOaeontc Corrc0pont)cncc of Masbington 

and private character. I recognize with pleasure 
my relation to the brethren of your Society, and I 
accept with gratitude your congratulations on my 
arrival in South Carolina. 

"Your sentiments, on the establishment and ex- 
ercise of our equal government, are worthy of an 
association, whose principles lead to purity of morals, 
and are beneficial of action. 

" The fabric of our freedom is placed on the endur- 
ing basis of public virtue, and will, I fondly hope, 
long continue to protect the prosperity of the archi- 
tects who raised it. I shall be happy, on every occa- 
sion, to evince my regard for the Fraternity. For 
your prosj^erity individually, I offer my best wishes." 




This letter was probably destroyed with other 
Grand Lodge property when Columbia, South Caro- 
lina, was burned by Sherman's Army during the 
war between the States.'*^ 

Fortunately, the original draft of Washington's 
reply, was found among the Washington papers now 
in the Library of Congress. This is written upon 
two pages of a letter sheet: the first page shows a 
paragraph which was suppressed and did not appear 

45 William C. Mazyck, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, G. L. of 
South Carolina. 

60 



Draft of IRepIi? 



upon the clear copy sent to the Grand Lodge of 
Ancient York Masons of South Carolina. 

A photostat of this draft is in the collection of the 
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, viz.: 

"To THE Grand Lodge of the State of South 

"Carolina Ancient York Masons. 
" Gentlemen, 

"I am much obliged by the respect 
" which you are so good as to declare for my 
"public and private character. I recognise 
" with pleasure my relation to the Brethren 
"of your Society — and I accept with gratitude 
"your congratulations on my arrival in 
" South Carolina. 

"Your felicitations It is 'peculiarly 
general 
"pleasing to observe the /\ satisfaction expressed 
" on the establishment and exercise of the 
"federal government — 
"Your sentiments on the establishment 
" and exercise of our equal government are 
"worthy of an association, whose principles 
" lead to purity of morals, and beneficence 
"of action — The fabric of our freedom 
" is placed on the enduring basis of 
"public virtue, and will long continue 
"to protect the Posterity of the architects 
"who raised it. 

"I shall be happy on every 

61 



fiDaeonic Correepon^ence of Maebtngton 



X 7S^ -^irO^t^ ;^J^ ^-Z^ ^^^2^^?4^^Z^2^.^^^2^f*^ 



A^Cy^:^ 



Fac-simile of Draft of Washington's Reply to Ad- 

Handwkitiko of 



62 



Xibrari^ of Congress, IFlo* 33433 

^ ^C-^^^hc .-«___ 0^>^ y'^^^^z^CC ^^/»^4^«. r;^£.<s>^^*^ 




DEESS FROM GrAXD LoDGE OF SoUTH CAROLINA, MaY, 1791. 

Mayor William Jackson. 



63 



fiDaeontc Correspondence ot Masbington 

regard 
occasion to evince my respect for the 
Fraternity, for whose happiness individually 
I offer my best wishes." 




Upon the first page the four lines commencing 
with " Your felicitations " and ending with *' federal 
government" were crossed out, and as above stated, 
were not in the reply sent to R. W. Grand Master 
Gist and his officers. 

In the third line from the bottom the word "re- 
gard " is substituted for " respect." 

Brother Gist was the original Warrant Master of 
the Regimental Lodge in the Marjdand line, No. 27, 
on the Roster of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 
After the war. Brother Gist settled in Charleston, 
South Carolina, retaining his old Military Warrant, 
and, in 1786, applied to the Grand Lodge of Penn- 
sylvania, to renew this warrant, for a Lodge to be 
located at Charleston imder the same nmiiber. This 
request was granted, and Brother Gist was again 
named as Warrant Master. 

At the formation of the Grand Lodge of South 
Carolina Ancient York Masons in 1787, Brother 
Gist was elected Deputy Grand INIaster and served 
as such during the years 1787-88-89, and as Grand 
Master, 1790-1791. 

64 




VIII 



Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Georgia, 



® 



May, 1791. 

N the way from Charleston, South Caro- 
hna, to Savannah, Georgia, Washing- 
ton called on Mrs. Greene, the widow of 
late Brother General Nathaniel Greene, 
at her plantation called Mulberry Grove, reaching 
Savannah, Georgia, on the evening of Thursday, 
May 12, 1791. 

Saturday, May 14, Washington was waited on 
by Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Georgia and 
presented with the following address :^^^ 

" To the President or the United States. 

"Sir, and Brother' , 

" The Grand Master, Officers and Members of the 
*' Grand Lodge of Georgia, beg leave to congratulate 
"you on your arrival in this city. Whilst your ex- 

45a Washington Letter Book, II, folio 77. Photostat in Archives of 
the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

6 65 



(BranD Xot)0C of (Bcoroia 



"alted character claims the respect and deference of 
" all men, they from the benevolence of masonic prin- 
"ciples approach you with the familiar declaration 
" of fraternal affection. 

"Happy indeed that Society, renowned for its 
"antiquity, and pervading influence over the en- 
" lightened world, which having ranked a Frederick 
" at its head, can now boast of a Washington as a 
"Brother. A Brother who it justly hailed the Re- 
" deemer of his country, raised it to glory, and by his 
"conduct in public and private life has evinced to 
" Monarchs that true majesty consists not in splendid 
"royalty, but in intrinsic worth. 

"With these sentiments they rejoice at your pres- 
" ence in this State, and in common with their fellow- 
" citizens, greet you, thrice welcome, flattering them- 
" selves that your stay will be made agreeable. 

"May the great Architect of the Universe pre- 
" serve you whilst engaged in the work allotted you 
" on earth, and long continue you the brightest pil- 
" lar of our Temple, and when the supreme fiat shall 
"summon you hence, they pray the might I AM 
" may take you into his holy keeping, 

"Grand Lodge in Savannah 
"May 14*^^ 5791. 

"Geo: Houston, 

''Grand 31 aster/' 

Upon the next day, Sunday, May 15, after attend- 
ing the morning church service, Washington left 

66 



Mitb (Branb Xobge of 6eorota 



^^^ ^jg^t^ /^£.€/^, ^^A^^.U>< 45tf^ >^^U^^^^^^ 

^/$^ ^s-^eu^ -J^^/" ^/^^j^^fz-^^:^^ 
•^ //^y /u^i-^a^ ^^ ^^ ^=^^^7 "^^^^ "^'^ ''^-^ ^*^^^^u:.J^/Zy 



^^*^ 




Bro. Washington's Reply to Address from the Grand Lodge op 
Georgia, May, 1791. Letter Book II, Folio 78. 



67 



noasonic Corrc6pou^cncc of Masbiuoton 

Savannah and set out for Augusta, Georgia, halting 
for dinner at jMulberry Grove, the seat of ]Mrs. 
Nathaniel Greene. The following reply to the ]Ma- 
sonie address was sent to the Grand Lodge of 
Georgia/^' both address and reply now first pub- 
lished: 

*'To THE Grand jMaster, Officers and ]Members 
"of the Grand Lodce of Georcia. 

''Gcnflcmcu, 

" I am niueh obliged by yoin* congratulations 

" on my arrival in this city, and I am highly indebted 

"to your favorable opinions. 

" Every circumstance contributes to 

"reniler my stay in Savannah agreeable, and it 

" is cause of regret to me that it must be so 

" short. 

'']My best wishes are offered for the welfare 

"of the fraternity, and for your particular happiness." 




•ii' Aililross ami Koply. lotto;- l>ook 11. t'olio 77-7S. 





.^:::^ 



„^-^==;«^-^=^si 



O^ 




I- I- 





IX 

Correspondence with Grand Lodge or Pennsyl- 
vania, January 3, 1792. 

URING the Presidential term of Brother 
Washington, the President, when in 
Philadelphia, lived in a large double three- 
story brick mansion, on the south side of 
Market Street, sixty feet east of Sixth Street, the 
site of which is now occupied by three stores, viz.: 
Nos. 526, 528, 530. 

The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania then held its 
meetings in the upper floor of the Meeting house of 
the Free Quakers, still standing, at the southwest 
corner of Arch and Fifth Streets; this was but a 
short distance from the presidential mansion. 
Brother Washington was undoubtedly personally 
acquainted with many of its members, especially 
such as had been officers during the Revolution, and 
were fellow members of the Cincinnati. 

On St. John's Day, December 27, 1791, a Grand 
Lodge was opened in ample form,*^ and the Minutes 

47 Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Vol, I, p. 
1T8. 

69 



flDaeonic Corre0pon^cnce of Masbington 

of the last Grand Communication were read, as far 
as concerns the election of Grand Officers. 

The Grand Officers upon this occasion were: 

Brother Jonathan Bayard Smith, R. W. Grand 
Master, 

Brother Joseph Few, Deputy Grand Master. 

Brother Thomas Procter, Senior Grand Warden. 

Brother Gavin Hamilton, Junior Grand Warden. 

Brother Peter Le Barbier Duplessis, Grand Sec- 
retary. 

Brother Benjamin Mason, Grand Treasurer. 

The Rev. Brother Dr. William Smith then ad- 
dressed the Brethren in an oration suitable to the 
Grand Day, and the thanks of the Lodge were given 
to said Brother William Smith for the same. 

After which, on motion and seconded, the Rev. 
Brother Dr. Smith and the Right Worshipful Grand 
Officers were appointed a Committee to prepare an 
address to our Illustrious Brother Geokge Wash- 
ington, President of the United States; and this 
Lodge was adjourned to the second day of January 
next to receive the report of said Committee. 

"Philadelphia, January 2^ 1792. 
"Grand Lodge, By Adjournment,^^ 

"A Grand Lodge was opened in ample form, and 
the Minutes of St. John's Day being read as far as 
relates to the appointment of a Committee to pre- 
pare an Address to our illustrious Brother George 

48 76iU, p. 180. 

70 



OTttb Ikin^ Davib^s Xo^ae 



Washington, The Rev^ Bro. D^ W". Smith, one of 
the said Committee, presented the Draft of one 
which was read, Whereupon, on Motion and Sec- 
onded, the same was unanimously approved of, and 
Resolved, That the R\ W\ Grand Master, Dep^ G. 
Master, and Grand Officers, with the Rev*^ Bro. 
Smith, be a Committee to present the said Address 
in behalf of this R*. W', Grand Lodge, signed by the 
Right Worshipful Grand Master, and Countersigned 
by the Grand Secretary. 

" Lodge closed at half past 9 o'clock in Harmony." 

Following is the address presented to Brother 
Washington. Both the original draft in the hand- 
writing of Brother William Smith, showing minor 
alterations, as well as a fair copy, are in the archives 
of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.^^ 

" To His Excellency Geoege Washington, Pres- 
ident OF THE United States. 
'^ Sir and Brother: 

" The Ancient York Masons of the Jurisdiction of 
Pennsylvania, for the first time assembled in Gen- 
eral Communication to celebrate the Feast of S*. 
John the Evangelist, since your Election to the 
Chair of Government in the United States, beg 
leave to approach you with Congratulations from 
the East, and in the pride of Fraternal affection to 
hail you as the Great Master Builder (under the 
Supreme Architect) by whose labours the Temple of 

49Mss. Volume A, folio 17, 19, 21. 

71 



fiDasonic Correspondence ot Maebtnoton 



Liberty hath been reared in the West, exhibiting to 
the Nations of the Earth a Model of Beauty, Order 
and Harmony worthy of their Imitation and Praise. 
"Your Knowledge of the Origin and Objects of 
our Institution; its Tendency to promote the Social 
Affections and harmonize the Heart, give us a sure 
pledge that this tribute of our Veneration, this Effu- 
sion of our Love will not be ungrateful to you; nor 
will Heaven reject our Prayer that you may be long 
continued to adorn the bright list of Master work- 
men which our Fraternity in the terrestrial Lodge; 
and that you may be late removed to that Celestial 
Lodge where love and Harmony reign transcendent 
and Divine; where the great Architect more imme- 
diately presides, and where Cherubim and Seraphim, 
wafting oin* Congratulations from Earth to Heaven, 
shall hail you Brother. 

"By order and in behalf of the Grand 
( Seal) " Lodge of Pennsylvania in general Com- 

"munication assembled in amj^le form. 



(Signed) 




Attest : 



G^ Secrv 



72 






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Mttb tbc (BranD XoD^e of penns^^Ivanta 

On January 3, 1792, Jonathan Bayard Smith, the 
Right Worshipful Grand Master, together with the 
Grand Officers and Rev. Brother Wilham Smith 
called on the President and delivered the above 
address. 

The deputation was received in the dining room 
of the presidential mansion. This was a room about 
thirty feet long, and where Washington was ac- 
customed to receive delegations. 

At the Quarterly Communication held March 5, 
1792, the Right Worshipful Grand Master Jona- 
than B. Smith informed the Brethren that, in con- 
formity to the resolve of this Grand Lodge, he had, 
in company with the Grand Officers and the Rev. 
Brother D*". Smith, presented the address to our 
illustrious Brother George Washington and had 
received an answer, which was read. 

" To THE ANCIENT YORK MASONS OF THE 

"Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. 
"Gentlemen and Brothers, 

" I receive your kind Congratulations with 
"the purest sensations of fraternal affection: — and 
*' from a heart deeply impressed with your generous 
" wishes for my present and future happiness, I beg 
"you to accept my thanks. 

"At the same time I request you will 
" be assured of my best wishes and earnest prayers 
" for your happiness while you remain in this terres- 

73 



fiDaeonic Correspondence of Masbtngton 










^^^^^^^^ 



Fac-simile of Washington's Reply to Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 
January, 1793. Original in Archives of the Grand Lodge. 

74 



WASHINGTON'S MASONIC APRON. 

EMBROIDERED BY MADAM LAFAYETTE; PRESENTED AUGUST, 1784, BY 

BRO. GEN. LAFAYETTE TO BRO. GEN. WASHINGTON; 

PRESENTED OCTOBER 26, 1816, BY THE LEGATEES OF BRO. WASHINGTON TO THE 

WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA; 

PRESENTED JULY 3, 1829, BY THE WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY TO THE 

R. W. GRAND LODGE, F. &. A. M. OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

ORIGJNAL APRON IN MUSEUM OF THE GRAND LODGE. 



Mitb the (Branb %o^qc ot jpennei^lvania 

" tial Mansion, and that we may thereafter meet 
" as brethren in the Eternal Temple of the 
" Supreme Architect. 




Whereupon, on motion and seconded. Resolved, 
unanimously, that the said address and the answer 
thereto, shall be entered on the minutes. 

This answer, in possession of the Grand Lodge of 
Pennsylvania, is in the handwriting of Tobias Lear, 
who was the private secretary of the President, and 
for years attended to the details of Washington's 
domestic affairs, and was liberally remembered by 
him in his will. 

The letter was signed by Washington, who had 
both the address and answer copied verbatim in one 
of his letter books^** by Bartholomew Dandridge, sec- 
retary to the President. A photostat copy of above, 
together with the original answer by Washington 
is in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Penn- 
sylvania. 

This address was read by Rev. Brother William 
Smith, one of the most noted Episcopal preachers in 
Philadelphia, and the first Provost of the College of 
Philadelphia, now the University of Pennsylvania. 
Brother William Smith, D.D., had been an active 

50 Letter Book II, pp. 104-105. 

75 



flDasouic CorrcspouDencc of Masblnoton 

iiKiiil)cr of the INIasonic Fraternity in Pennsylvania 
Tor lorty years; he was the Chaphiin of the Grand 
Jiod^e of Moderns for ahiiost a quarter of a eentury. 
In winter of 1778 he joined the Grand Lodge of 
Aneient York JMasons, and for some time served as 
(irand Seeretary/'^ 

Jonathan J5ayard Smith, tlie Grand Master of 
Pennsylvania, was one of Philadelphia's prominent 
citizens. During the IJevolutionary period he was 
an ardent patriot; he was among the earliest of those 
who espoused the cause of independence. In 1775 
he was cliosen secretary of the Committee of Safety, 
and in Fehruary, 1777, he was elected by the as- 
sembly a delegate to the Continental Congress. He 
was a second time chosen to this post, serving in the 
congresses of 1777-8. Prom Ai)ril 4, 1777, till Nov. 
1.3, 1778, he was prothonotary of the court of Com- 
mon Pleas. 

On December 1, 1777, he presided at the public 
meeting, in Philadelphia, of " Keal Whigs," by 
whom it was resolved " That it be recommended to 
the council of safety that in this great emergency 
. . . every person between the age of sixteen and 
fifty years be ordered out under arms." During this 
year he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of a 
battalion of " Associators." 

In 1778 he was appointed a justice of the court 
of Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and Orphans' 

61 Cf. "Old Masonic Lodges of Peunsylvunia," Vol. I, p. 201. 

76 




B. FEB. 21, 1742; D. JUNE 16, 1812. 
GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN PENNSYLVANIA, 1789-1794. 



Mttb tbe (5ran^ Xoboe of pennei^lvania 

Court, which post he held for many years. He was 
appointed in 1781, one of the auditors of the accounts 
of Pennsylvania troops in the service of the United 
States. In 1792, and subsequently, he was chosen 
an alderman of the city, which was an office of great 
dignity in his day, and in 1794 he was elected 
auditor-general of Pennsylvania. 

Brother Jonathan B. Smith was an active mem- 
ber of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He was 
the Senior Grand Warden in 1786, at the time when 
the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania: ^^ Re- 
solved^ that the Grand Lodge is, and ought to be 
perfectly independent and free of any such foreign 
jurisdiction."^^ 

In the two following years he was appointed 
Deputy Grand Master by Right Worshipful Grand 
Master William Adcock; he was elected Right Wor- 
shipful Grand Master in 1789 and served in that 
capacity for six years (1789-1794). In the year 
1798 he was again elected to that honorable office, 
serving five more consecutive years (1798 to 1802), 
when he declined reelection. The following action 
was taken by the Grand Lodge :^^ 

"On Motion made and Seconded the Grand 
Lodge of Pennsylvania impressed with a grateful 
sense of the long assiduous and highly useful labours 
of their late R. W. Grand Master, Bro"" Jonathan 

52 Cf. Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge, Vol. I, p. 96 et seq. 

53 Ibid., Vol. II, p. 68. 

77 



noasonic Corrcspon&ence of Maebtngton 

Bayard Smith, Esq'", previous to and during his 
service in the high Station which he has left, Re- 
solved Unanimously, That the most respectful 
Thanks of the said G. Lodge be presented to their 
said Brother Jonathan Bayard Smith for the emi- 
nent services he has rendered to the Craft generally 
and more especially for the able, diligent and im- 
partial manner in which he has discharged the Duties 
of the Chair and while they deplore the necessity of 
his now retiring from the Official Station amongst 
them which he has so Honourably filled, they hope 
for a continuance of his Brotherly Love, Aid and 
information and finally that he be requested to re- 
ceive the best wishes of the Grand Lodge for a pro- 
longation of his useful life, a coimnensurate enjoy- 
ment of his Health and his final Happiness in the 
Mansion of Everlasting Rest." 

Brother Joseph Few, Deputy Grand Master, was 
also a Revolutionary Soldier, having served as Regi- 
mental Quarter Master with the 4th Continental 
Artillery. 

Brother Thomas Procter, Senior Grand Warden, 
formerly Colonel of the Pennsylvania Artillery, and 
Warrant Master of the Military Lodge, No. 19, 
upon the Roster of Pennsylvania was prominent in 
both civil and political affairs during Washington's 
administration. A full account of Brother Thomas 
Procter and this Military Lodge will be found in 

78 



1KIla6btngton'6 past flDaster'e 3ewel 



the History of the Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsyl- 
vania, pubhshed by the Grand Lodge in 1913.^^ 

For a sketch of Brother Peter Le Barbier Duples- 
sis, the reader is referred to the same volume. ^^ 

64 Volume II, Chapter XXVI, pp. l_36. Cf. also "Freemasonry in 
Pennsylvania," Vol. I and II, for various references to Col. Procter. 
55 Cf. " Old Lodges," Vol. II, pp. 256 et seq. 




Washington's Past Master's Jewel. 
Replica in the Museum of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 



79 





X 

Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Massa- 
chusetts, December, 1792. 

Grand Lodge held at Concert Hall, Bos- 
ton, 10th of December, 5792, being a 
Quarterly Communication it was 

^'Resolved, That the Grand Master, 
with the Grand Wardens, present to our Most Be- 
loved Brother 

George Washington, 

the new Book of Constitutions, with a suitable 
address. 

At the next Quarterly Communication we find 
that, 

"Agreeably to a resolve at the last Quarterly 
Communication, the Grand Master, with his War- 
dens, reported: 

" That they had written to our beloved President 
and Brother, George Washington, and presented 

80 



Mitb tbe (BranD %o^qc of pennsi^lvanta 

him with a Book of Constitutions, to which letter he 
had been pleased to make answer. The letter and 
answer were read, and Voted to be inserted in the 
records of the Grand Lodge." 

This address was evidently sent to President 
Washington at Philadelphia, and was answered 
from the presidential office in that city. No date 
nor place appears upon either the original so far as 
known, nor the copy in the letter book, both address 
and reply therein being in the handwriting of Bar- 
tholomew Dandridge, Secretary to the President. 

The following copy of both address and reply are 
taken from Letter Book II, folio 106-108. 

" An Address of the Grand Lodge of Free & 
*' Accepted Masons for the Commonwealth 
" of Massachusetts, To their honored and 
"Illustrious Brother. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON. 

*' Whilst the Historian is describing the 

"career of your glory, and the inhabitants 

"of an extensive Empire are made happy 

"in your unexampled exertions: — whilst some 

" celebrate the Hero so distinguished in li- 

" berating United America; and others the Patriot 

"who presides over her Councils, a Band of bro- 

"thers, having always joined the acclamations 

"of their countrymen, now testify their res- 
7 81 



nDaeonic Correspondence of Masbtngton 

"pect for those milder virtues which have 
" ever graced the man. 

"Taught by the precepts of our Society; 
"that all its members stand upon a level, we 
"venture to assume this station & to approach 
"you with that freedom which diminishes 
"our diffidence without lessening our respect. 

"Desirous to enlarge the boundaries of 
" social happiness, and to vindicate the cere- 
" monies of their institution, this Grand Lodge 
"have published a "Book of Constitutions," (and 
" a copy for your acceptance accompanies 
"this) which by discovering the principles that 
"actuate will speak the Eulogy of the Society; 
"though they fervently wish the conduct of its; 
" Members may prove its higher commendation. 

" Convinced of his attachment to its 
" cause, and readiness to encourage its bene- 
"volent designs; they have taken the liberty to 
"dedicate this work to one, the qualities of 
"whose heart and the actions of whose life 
" have contributed to improve personal virtue, 
" and extend throughout the world, the most endear- 
"ing cordialities; and they humbly hope he will 
"pardon this freedom, and accept the tribute of 
"their esteem & homage. 

"May the supreme architect of the uni- 
" verse protect & bless you, give you length of 
" days & increase of Felicity in this world, and then 

82 



Mitb tbe (Brant) OLo^gc of fiDaseacbusetts 

" receive you to the harmonious & exalted So- 

"ciety in Heaven. — 

"John Cutlek, Grand Master 

"JosiAH Baktlett] ^ „^ _ 
cc^M- T.-- r Grd Wardens. 

MuNGO MacheyJ 

" Boston 

"Decern. 27, A.D. 1792." 

The following reply was sent by President 
Washington from Philadelphia to the Brethren of 
the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It will be 
noticed that there was no date or place mentioned 
upon the copy in the Letter Book, nor on the orig- 
inal letter, which at present is believed to be in the 
Library of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 

Washington's Reply 
" To THE Grand Lodge of Free & accepted Ma- 

"SONS, FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF MaSSACHU- 
" SETTS. 

" Flattering as it may be to the human 
"mind, & truly honorable as it is to receive 
"from our fellow citizens testimonies of appro- 
"bation for exertions to promote the public wel- 
"fare, it is not less pleasing to know, that the 
"milder virtues of the heart are highly respected 
"by a Society whose liberal principles must be 
" founded in the immutable laws of truth and 
"justice. — 

83 



^O //i<~ Vv-^a-^^ tfCo'^/>i^ ^/.^^4^ZXJt_. S'^-tx c^a_«Vk-^>-«> ^/^ *«- 












i^ ^ _ _ • - . _ ^ i^ ^X • — ^: / 







Washington's Eeplt to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 
Letter Book II, Folio 108. 



Mttb tbe (5ran^ Xo^ge of noaseacbuectts 



"To enlarge the sphere of social happi- 
"ness is worthy the benevolent design of a ma- 
" sonic institution; and it is most fervently to 
" be wished, that the conduct of every member 
"of the fraternity, as well as those publications 
"that discover the principles which actuate them; 
"may tend to convince mankind that the grand 
"object of Masonry is to promote the happiness 
"of the human race. 

" While I beg your acceptance of 
"my thanks for the "Book of Constitutions" which 
"you have sent me, & the honor you have done 
"me in the dedication, permit me to assure you 
" that I feel all those emotions of gratitude 
"which your affectionate address & cordial 
"wishes are calculated to inspire; and I 
" sincerely pray that the Great Architect 
" of the Universe may bless you here, and 
" receive you hereafter into his immortal 
" Temple. 




:N'o fac-simile copy of the original letter was ob- 
tainable for the Collection of the Grand Lodge of 
Pennsylvania. 



85 





XI 

Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- 
vania, December, 1796. 

EPTEMBER 18, 1796, President Wash- 
ington issued his farewell address. His 
second term was drawing to a close; the 
term had been a more or less exciting 
one: The passing of the Neutrality Act; Genet's 
appeal from the executive to the people; the Fugi- 
tive Slave Act; the whiskey insurrection in western 
Pennsylvania; the adoption of the Eleventh amend- 
ment; the purchase of peace from Algiers, Tripoli 
and Tunis; the troubles with Great Britain about 
the non-delivery of the military posts and later the 
Jay Treaty, all came within President Washing- 
ton's second and last term/'^^ 

During these troublous times Washington had 
no stauncher supporters than his Masonic Brethren 
of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Further, 
that Washington kept more or less in touch with 

ssa Cf. The Religious and Social Conditions of Philadelphia, under the 
Federal Constitution, 1790-1800, Julius F. Sachse, Philadelphia, 1900. 

86 



IKIlttb tbc (5ran^ Xo^oc of penne^^lvanta 

his Masonic Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Penn- 
sylvania is shown by the fact that he attended the 
services at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, on Third 
Street below Walnut, on St. John's Day, December 
27, 1793, where a charity sermon was preached by 
Rev. Brother Samuel Magaw, D.D., Vice-Provost 
of the University of Pennsylvania, before the Grand 
and Subordinate Lodges for the purpose of increas- 
ing the relief fund, for the widows and orphans of 
the yellow fever epidemic which ravaged the capital 
city during the past summer.^° 

When the Brethren found that Washington 
positively declined reelection in 1796, and that John 
Adams was elected to succeed him on the fourth of 
March following, the Brethren of the Grand Lodge 
at their Quarterly Communication, December 5, 
1796, determined that it would be right and proper 
to present him with an address before his retirement 
from office, whereupon, it was resolved: "On Motion 
and seconded, that a Committee be appointed to 
frame an Address to be presented on the ensuing 
Feast of S' John, Decem"" 27th, to the Great Master 
Workman, our Illustrious Br. Washington, on the 
occasion of his intended retirement from Public 
Labor, to be also laid before the said Grand Lodge 
on St John's Day, and the R' W. Grand Master, 
Deputy G. M. B" Sadler, Milnor and Williams, 
were accordingly appointed." 

50 Cf. " Freemasonry in Pennsylvania," before quoted, Vol. II, pp. 
190-197; original copy in archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

87 



flDaeonic Correepon^encc of Maebin^ton 

At a Grand Lodge held on St. John's Day, Phila- 
delphia, December 27, 5796, "The Committee ap- 
pointed to prepare an Address to our Brother 
George Washington, President of the United States, 
presented an Address by them drawn up, which was 
ordered to be read, and was in the words following, 
to wit: 

"To George Washington President of the 
L- United States. 

"The Address of the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- 
" vania. 
''Most Respected Sir and Brother, 

" Having announced your intention to retire from 
^'Public Labour to that Befresliment to which your 
"preeminent Services for near Half a Century have 
"so justly entitled you. Permit the Grand Lodge 
" of Pennsylvania at this last Feast of our Evangelic 
" Master St. John, on which we can hope for an im- 
" mediate Communication with you to join the grate- 
"ful Voice of our Country in Acknowledging that 
" you have carried forth the Principles of the Lodge 
"into every Walk of your Life, by your constant 
"Labours for the Prosperity of that Country, by 
"your unremitting Endeavours to promote Order, 
"Union and Brotherly Affection amongst us, and 
"lastly by the Vows of your Farewell Address to 
"your Brethren and Fellow Citizens. An Address 
"which we trust Our Children and Our Childrens 

88 




REV. BRO. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. 

B. ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND, 1727. D. PHILADELPHIA, MAY 14, 1803. 

GRAND CHAPLAIN "MODERNS," 1755. GRAND SECRETARY "aNCIENTS," 1779-1784. 

WHO PRESENTED THE PENNSYLVANIA ADDRESSES TO BRO. WASHINGTON, 1792-1796. 



Mttb tbe (Brant) XoOge of Pennsylvania 



" Children will ever look upon as a most invaluable 
" Legacy from a Friend a Benefactor and a Father. 

"To these our grateful Acknowledgments (leav- 
"ing to the impartial Pen of History to record the 
" important Events in which you have borne so illus- 
"trious a part) permit us to add our most fervent 
"prayers, that after enjoying to the utmost of 
"Human Life, every Felicity which the Terrestial 
"Lodge can afford, you may be received by the 
"great Master Builder of this World and of Worlds 
" unnumbered, into the Ample Felicity of that Celes- 
" tial Lodge in which alone distinguished Virtues and 
"distinguished Labours can be eternally rewarded. 

"By unanimous order of the Grand Lodffe of 
" Pennsylvania at their communication held the 27'" 
"Day of December Anno Domini 5796. 




^.. 



It was then moved and seconded that the same be 
adopted. Upon the question being taken it ap- 
peared that it was approved of. On motion and 
seconded, it was agreed that a committee be appointed 
to wait on Brother Washington to acquaint him 
that it is the intention of this Grand Lodge to pre- 
sent an address to him, and to know what time he 

89 



fiDasonic Corre0pon^ence of Masbington 

shall be pleased to appoint to receive it. The com- 
mittee appointed to perform this duty were Brothers 
William Smith, Peter Le Barbier Duplessis and 
Thomas Procter, who, after having waited on him, 
reported that he had appointed to-morrow, December 
28, 1796, at twelve o'clock to receive it. Said com- 
mittee, to wit. Brothers W. Smith, Duplessis and 
Procter, together with Right Worshipful Grand 
Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Junior War- 
dens, Grand Secretary and the Masters of the differ- 
ent Lodges in the City, were then appointed a Depu- 
tation to present the said Address. 

This deputation consisted of Right Worshipful 
Grand Master William Moore Smith, Gavin Hamil- 
ton, Deputy Grand Master, Thomas Town, Senior 
Grand Warden, Thomas Armstrong, Esq^, Junior 
Grand Warden, George A. Baker, Grand Secretary, 
John McElwee, Grand Treasurer, and the following 
Masters of the Philadelphia Lodges, viz. : David Ir- 
win, No. 2, Israel Israel, No. 3, Andrew Nilson No. 
9, Eleaser Oswald, No. 19, Cadawalder Griffith, No. 
52, Richard E. Cusack, No. 59, Thomas Bradley, 
No. 67, Wilham Nelson, No. 71; together with the 
appointed Committee, Brothers William Smith D.D., 
Le Barbier Duplessis and Thomas Procter. 

President Washington received the august depu- 
tation of the Brethren at the appointed time; the 
address was read before him by the Rev. Brother 
William Smith, D.D., whereupon he returned them 

90 



Mttb tbe (5ran^ XoDae ot jpennsi^lvanta 



-^^^^ 'y^^tX^l^y^? ^rTfC^pjZ^ ayt^ ^C.^^\/Py^^y^2^jt^t./^UC/x) 



Fac-simile of Washington's Reply to Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 

December, 1796. Original in Archives of the Grand Lodge 

of Pennsylvania. 

91 




flDasonic Corrcepon^encc of Maebtnoton 

a repty. This docimient, still in the Library of the 
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, is entirely in the 
handwriting of Washington and signed by him, 
viz.: 

"Fellow-citizens and Brothers, 
^_ " OF the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 
"I have received your address 
*' with all the feelings of brotherly affection, 
"mingled with those sentiments, for the 
" Society, which it was calculated to excite. 

" To have been, in any degree, an 
" instrument in the hands of Providence, 
" to promote order and union, and erect upon 
"a solid foundation the true principles of 
"government, is only to have shared with 
"many others in a labour, the result of 
" which let us hope, will prove through 
" all ages, a sanctuary for brothers and 
"a lodge for the virtues, — 

" Permit me to reciprocate your 
"prayers for my temporal happiness, 
"and to supplicate that we may all 
"meet thereafter in that eternal temple, 
"whose builder is the great architect 
"of the Universe." 




> 



TOitb tbe (BranD %ot>Qc of penne^lvania 



Brother William Moore Smith, Right Worshipful 
Grand Master of Pennsylvania, whose first official 
act as Grand Master was to head the committee to 
call on the President, was a son of the Rev. William 
Smith, D.D., born in Philadeli3hia, June 1, 1759. 
He was a lawyer by profession and served as Deputy 
Grand Master for the year 1795 under the Vener- 
able William Ball, and as Right Worshipful Grand 
blaster for the years 1796-1797. He was appointed 
by the President as agent for the settlement of claims 
that were provided for in the Sixth Article of John 
Jay's Treaty, and visited England in 1803 to close 
the commission. He died at the Smith Homestead 
at Falls of Schuylkill, March 12, 1821. 

Both the address and reply were copied in Wash- 
ington's Letter Book III, pp. 244-245, in the 
handwriting of one of his secretaries, G. W. Craik, 
a son of Dr. James Craik, Washington's "compa- 
triot in arms, and old and intimate friend," who at- 
tended him during his last illness. 

Photostat copies of above are in the Library of 
the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, also the original 
draft of the address, presented to the President 
(Mss. Volume A, folio 23). 

This autograph Masonic letter from Washington 
to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has been re- 
produced in fac-simile, published and circulated (in 
most cases without the knowledge or consent of the 
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania) more widely than 



93 



flDasonic Corre0pont)ence of "TOaebtngton 

any other known letter of Washington. Some of 
these copies are treasured by their owners under the 
impression that they have the original letter. Sev- 
eral cases of this kind have of late come under the 
notice of the writer. In one case where one of these 
reproductions was offered for sale, hundreds of dol- 
lars were asked for the reproduction, and it was 
with great difficulty that the owner could be con- 
vinced of its character. 

Another use made of this letter by unprincipled 
persons was to make a photo-lithographic copy of 
the letter, and substitute the name of another state 
for that of Pennsylvania, and then palm it off upon 
the authorities of that state as an original letter to 
their Grand Lodge. The latest case of this kind 
loiown to the writer is that of the Grand Lodge of 
Georgia, who were thus imposed upon. 

Then again the letter has been extensively used 
for advertising purposes by publishing houses of 
Masonic literature. 

The letter has also been printed in most all books 
bearing upon Masonic history during the revolu- 
tionary period. 

It was also frequently quoted and criticised dur- 
ing the Anti-Masonic craze which swept over the 
country some eighty-odd years ago, it being the chief 
Masonic letter of the five known to the leaders of 
those misguided persons. The main point of their 
argument was that it bore no date and therefore was 
not authentic. 

94 




XII 

Correspondence with Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, 

Virginia. 

^^ rW PON pages 244 and 245 of Washington's 

M rj folio Letter Book No. Ill in the Library 

^^^^M of Congress are recorded a letter and 

address to Washington from the Master 

of Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, of Virginia, together 

with Washington's reply. 

Washington and his family had left Philadelphia, 
Thursday, March 9, 1797, for Mount Vernon, and 
arrived at Baltimore, Sunday, March 12, and at 
Mount Vernon, March 15, where he again settled 
down to the life of a private gentleman, free from 
the cares and concerns of public life. 

March 28, 1797, he was waited on at Mount Ver- 
non by Brothers Dennis Ramsay and Phillip G. 
Marsteller, and presented with the following letter 
and address from James Gillies, the Master of Alex- 
andria Lodge, No. 22, of Virginia, viz.: 

95 



fiDaeontc Correspon^ence o! Masbtnaton 

"Alex^ March 28^ 5797. 
"Most respected Brother, 

"Brother Ramsay & Marsteller wait upon you 
" with a copy of an address which has been prepared 
" by the unanimous desire of the Ancient York Ma- 
"sons of Lodge No. 22. It is their earnest request 
"that you will partake of a Dinner with them and 
"that you will please appoint the time most conve- 
"nient for you to attend. — 

" I am most beloved Brother, 
"YourMo. Ob^H^'^Serv* 
" James Gillies, M, 
" Gen' Geo Washington." 

The letter was an invitation to dine with the 
Lodge. This Washington accepted. 

''Most respected Brother, 

" The ancient York Masons of Lodge No. 22 offer 
"you their warmest congratulations on your retire- 
"ment from your useful labors. Under the su- 
"preme architect of the Universe you have been the 
"Master Workman in erecting the Temple of Lib- 
" erty in the west, on the broad basis of equal rights. 
"In your wise administration of the government of 
" the United States for the space of eight years, you 
" have kept within the compass of our happy Consti- 
"tution and acted on the square with foreign Na- 
"tions and thereby preserved your country in peace 
" and promoted the prosperity and happiness of your 

96 



Mitb Hlexan^rta %otfQC, IRo. 22 

" fellow Citizens, and now that you have retired from 
"the labours of public life to the refreshment of 
"domestic tranquility, they ardently pray that you 
"may long enjoy all the happiness which the Terres- 
" tial Lodge can afford and finally be removed to that 
"celestial Lodge where Love, Peace and Harmony 
" for ever reign and where cherubims and seraphims 
" shall hail you Brother. — 

" By the unanimous desire of Lodge 
"No. 22 

"James Gillies, blaster/* 
" Gen Geo Washington." 

Washington attended the meeting of his Lodge 
at Alexandria, on Saturday, April 1, 1797, when his 
reply to Brother Gillies' address was read in open 
Lodge, viz.: 

"Beothers of the Ancient York Masons of 
Lodge No. 22. 

"While my heart acknowledges with Brotherly 
"Love, your affectionate congratulations on my re- 
"tirement from the arduous toils of past years, my 
" gratitude is no less excited by your kind wishes for 
" my future happiness. — 

"If it has pleased the supreme architect of the 
" universe to make me an humble instrument to pro- 
"mote the welfare and happiness of my fellow men, 
"my exertions have been abundantly recompensed 

8 97 



fiDasontc Correspondence of Maeblnoton 




.^kV 



li s 




I ^ ^ 1 > 



^ 






98 



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/^l^^ /7^/vu/ /yirtt //*^v /U^^ ^^^mu% /^O ^//^^y^ ►/•/*<'/ 1» 

cue) J^^^^J^ ^U^t^ mi. ^iJ'xJu.U^r CUt^ fwi^/pMij/lf if/ tj<»li^ .'ji^ftiu^ 

Fac-simile of Address from Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, to Washington, 
March, 1797. Letter Book II, Fouo 294-295. 



flOagontc Corregpon^encc of Maebtngton 




1/?'a/ffij J^ '•^'^<!<^y^'f/ ^/??faA^ ^2^^ 



yipfHii /^k4/^ i*A<J-^cy j^ff/'^/ ^*/uto /ra/t4ii4iXj^ ^ 

j^T^W^ ^ ^^Mj^f>a t<^ A-f^ yHn^^fiHcU^ (yf- /?2t^ z^^/^/uv /^?Tje^ (0'>iu/' 
t>K4/!^yfnJ /ra<j^ j^cx^ /i^u/i tia. fuC^^ /»/ c<^/nri^^.d^ .^r^ ^Xi> AZ4< cO 

^Uj*j^*f**eju /l/f^tncM^ /Thx. fi/ f^(Li*o /Ut/d/r 7^}^ ,^a<M^ ^ cZ/^ x^^ta 




Fac-simile of Wasiiingtok's Reply to Alexaxdria Lodge, No. 22, 
Virginia, March, 1797. 



100 



mit\) Hleian^rta Xo^0e, 1Ro» 22 



"by the kind partiality with which they have been 
"received; and the assurance you give me of your 
"behef that I have acted upon the square in my 
"pubhc capacity, will be among my principles en- 
" joyments in this Terrestial Lodge." 




After which the Brethren went in procession from 
their room to Abert's Tavern,''^ where they partook 
of an "elegant" dinner, following which a number 
of toasts were offered. The tenth toast was by 
Brother Washington, " The Lodge at Alexandria, 
and all 3iasons throughout the World," after which 
he returned to Mount Vernon under an escort of 
mounted troops of the town." 

The copies of the letter, address and reply in 
Washington's Letter Book are in the handwi-iting 
of his secretary, Tobias Lear. Photostats of all are 
in the collection of the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- 
vania. N^o direct photograph of the original in pos- 
session of Alexandria- Washington Lodge, No. 22, 
was obtainable. 

57 Cf. " Washington after the Revolution," W. S. Baker, p. 347. 
57a Abert's Tavern, formerly "John Wise's." Vide p. 35 supra. 



101 




XIII 



Correspondence "v^'ith Grand Lodge of JMassa- 
CHUSETTS, March, 1797. 

^L T a Grand Lodge in Quarterly Commu- 
^T^L nication, held at Concert Hall, Boston, 

^^ ^^ on the evening of March 13, A.L. 5797. 
^^ ^ ''On motion it was Voted, That a 
committee be appointed to draft an Address, to be 
presented to our Illustrious Brother, George Wash- 
ington, Esq'r, "vvhen the INI.W. Paul Revere, Grand 
Master, R.W. John Warren, Rev. Bro. Thaddeus 
M. Harris, R.W. Josiah Bartlett, Bro. Thomas 
Edwards, were appointed a committee for that 
purpose." 

In response to above resolution the following ad- 
dress was sent to Brother Washington at ^Mount 
Vernon dated Boston, !March 21, 5797, viz.: 

102 



■rattb tbe (5ran^ %ot>Qc ot flDaeeacbusetts 

"The East J the West and the South, of the Grand 
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts. 
To Their Most Worthy George Washington." 
"Wishing ever to be foremost in testimonials of 
respect and admiration for those virtues and services 
with which you have so long adorned and benefited 
our common country; and not the last nor least, to 
regret the cessation of them, in the public councils 
of the Union; your Brethren of the Grand Lodge 
embrace the earliest opportunitj" of greeting you in 
the calm retirement you have contemplated to yom-- 
self. Though as citizens they lose you in the active 
labors of political life, they hope, as Masons, to find 
you in the pleasing sphere of Fraternal engagement. 
" From the cares of state and the fatigues of pub- 
lic business our institution opens a recess affording 
all the relief of tranquility, the harmony of peace and 
the refresliment of pleasure. Of these may you par- 
take in all their purity and satisfaction; and we will 
assure ourselves that your attachment to this social 
plan will increase; and that under the auspices of 
your encouragement, assistance and patronage, the 
Craft will attain its highest ornament, perfection and 
praise. And it is our ardent prayer, that when your 
light shall be no more visible in this earthly temple, 
you may be raised to the All Perfect Lodge above; 
be seated on the right of the Supreme Architect of 
the Universe, and there receive the refresliment your 
labors merited. 

103 



fiDasontc CorresponDencc ot MasbttiGton 

" In behalf of the Grand Lodge, we subscribe our- 
selves with the highest esteem, 

"Your affectionate Brethren, 

"Paul Revere, Grand Master, 
"Isaiah Thomas, S. Grarid Warden. 
" Joseph Laughton, J. Grand Warden. 
"Daniel Oliver, Grand Secretary, 
"Boston, 21st March, 5797." 

For some unaccountable reason the delivery of the 
address was delayed and not received at Mount 
Vernon until late in April. The original draft of 
Washington's reply to the Grand Lodge of Massa- 
chusetts in his own handwriting and signature as well 
as an autograph note of apology for the seeming 
delay to Grand Master Paul Revere and his officers 
dated Mount Vernon, April 24, 1797, are in the 
Manuscript Department in the Library of Con- 
gress, viz.: 

"To Paul Revere Grand Master, Isaiah 
" Thomas Senior Grand Warden and 
"Joseph Laughton Jun^ Grand Warden. 
'' Brothers, 

"I am sorry that the en- 
" closed answer to the affectionate address 
"of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and 
"Accepted Masons, of the Commonwealth 
" of Massachusetts transmitted under your 

104 




1735-1818. 
GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN MASSACHUSETTS, 1797. 



5^^^^f^.u»^ c^£^^U,cK^ -^hG^-?^ ^^-^i^^a^K, ^-^v:? 



^^^tn^^U^t^ i 



cnafi^^^ '^h.fl^-^pS^ ^-.a^pjZ^ cr;2^/^2y;K.^^.<...iZ.^:Xji^ , ^^^^^"B-^JZ. <=x-^^-5 

ii^^jy^x^ Gci'-^^c^j:^ J^,^?t-cxo ^;^..<^/^y'.^:^ ^oc^ C^h^e/Z^ /^^J^jC^ 



Fac-simile of Autograph Letter from Washington to Paul Revere 

AKD THE Officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 

April 24, 1797. 

105 






/S?^r^^ 



ay^^^j 



^'-rZ-ACL.^ C^y-P^ ^:^^^7h-^^ JO'i:i-<i^ £/^^4-<x i^^<tjS^^ ^5i-<;?i-^ >^co->^ 



(Xyy<AJz.JlSd /^X^ J^^!Sl. <2.<y-zJd C'-a^CJL //^Oy^ tz.^<::^ A/ytLc^ 

106 



maeonic Correepon^ence o! IKIlasbinaton 






Fac-simile of Original Draft of Washixptox^'^ r.„ 



107 



fiDasonic Correspondence of Maebington 

"signatures, should appear so much out 

from 
" of season ; but /\ the lapse of time between 
"the date & reception of the address (from 
"what cause I know not) it was not to be 
"avoided, and is offered as an apology, for 
"the delay. With brotherly affection 
"I am always yours. 




"Mount Vernon, 
"24'' April 1797." 

Following is a copy of Washington's original 
draft of his reply to the Grand Lodge of Massachu- 
setts. It is written upon two pages of a letter sheet 
entirely in his handwriting and signed by him. 

" To THE Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free & 
"Accepted Masons, of the Commonwealth 
"of Massachusetts. 

" Brothers, 

"It was not until within 

"these few days that I have been favoured by 

" the receipt of your affectionate Address 

" dated in Boston the 21^' of March 
"For the favourable sentiments 

" you have been pleased to express on the 

108 



Mitb the (Brant) XoOge of noassacbueette 



"occasion of my past services, and for the 
" regrets with which they are accompani- 
" ed for the cessation of my pubhc functions, 
" I pray you to accept my best acknowledg- 
" ments and gratitude. — 

"No pleasure, except that w'*" 
" results from a consciousness of having, to 
"the utmost of my abilities, discharged, 
"the trusts which have been reposed in 
" me by my Country, can equal the satis 
" faction I feel from the unequivocal proofs 
"I continually receive of its approbation 
" of my pubhc conduct, and I beg you to be 
" assured that the evidence thereof which 
"is exhibited by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 
" is not among the least pleasing, or grate 
" f ul to my feelings. — 

"In that retirement which decli- 
" ning years induced me to seek, and which 
" repose, to a mind long employed in pub- 
" lie concerns, rendered necessary, my wish 
"es that bounteous Providence will conti- 
" nue to bless & preserve our country in 
"Peace & in the prosperity it has enjoyed, will 
" be warm & sincere ; and my attachment 
"to the Society of which w^e are members 
"will dispose me always, to contribute my 
"best endeavours to promote the honor & 
"interest of the Craft. — 

109 



fiDasontc Corre0pont)ence of Maebington 



" For the prayer you offer in 
"my behalf I entreat you to accept the 
"thanks of a grateful heart; with the as- 
" surance of fraternal regard and best 
"wishes for the honor, happiness & prospe- 
" rity of all the members of the Grand Lodge 
"of Massachusetts." 




The original letter is said to be in possession of 
the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. No photo- 
graphic fac-simile of the document, however, could 
be obtained. 




Ancient Jewel of the Ghand Lodge of Maryland. 
110 




XIV 

COREESPONDENCE WITH GrAND LodGE OF MARY- 
LAND, November, 1798. 



JN the year 1798, the danger of a war with 
France had become so imminent, on ac- 
count of the aggressions of that govern- 
ment towards the United States, that 
Congress ordered a provisional army to be raised, 
the command of which was tendered to Washing- 
ton, with the rank of Lieutenant-General, an honor 
which was reluctantly accepted by Washington. 
During the summer a scourge of yellow fever had 
again visited Philadelphia, which caused Congress 
to adjourn, July 16, and the public offices to be re- 
moved for the time being to Trenton, N. J. All 
danger of the fever being over, Washington, on 
November 5, started for Trenton. He arrived at 
Baltimore, November 7, and was waited on at his 
quarters by William Belton, Grand Master of the 

Grand Lodge of Maryland, his Deputy and other 

111 



noasontc Correspondence ot Maebtnoton 



Brethren and presented with a copy of the New Ahi- 
man Rezon and the following address,^^ viz.: 

"To Geoege Washington, Esq., 

Lieutenant General and Commander-in-chief 
of the Armies of the United States. 
''Sir and Brother: 

"The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free 
Masons for the State of Maryland, wishing to 
testify the respect in which the whole fraternity in 
this State hold the man who is at once the ornament 
of the Society and of his country, vote a copy of the 
Constitution of Masonry, lately printed under its 
authority, to be presented to you. 

"Accept, Sir and Brother, from our hands this 
small token of the veneration of men who consider 
it as the greatest boast of their Society, that a 
WASHINGTON openly avows himself a member 
of it, and thinks it worthy of his approbation. With 
it accept also our warmest congratulations in the 
name of the body which we represent, on your reap- 
pointment to that elevated station in which you 
formerly wrought the salvation of your country; 
and on jonv restoration to the inestimable blessing 
of health which, that the Almighty disposer of 
events may continue to accord to you uninterrup- 
tedly, is the most earnest prayer of your most re- 

58 cf. " Freemasonry in Maryland," by Edw. J. Schultz, Baltimore, 
1884, Vol. I, pp. 265-266. 

112 



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v" i' 



FAC-SIMILE (REDUCED) OF THE ORIGINAL DRAFT OF WASHINGTON'S 












ijt-Ct./- / 



-^- '"^.. ^'/•'" • "y^ 












.-^'^ 






LETTER TO THE GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND.-ELKTON, md., nov. 8, i: 



Mttb tbe 6ran^ OLo^ge of nDar^lan^ 

spectfully affectionate Brethren and most humble 
servants. 

" Signed, Wm. Belton, R.. W..G..M.. 
"Peter Little, Grand Secretary, 
"Baltimore, November 5th, 1798." 

To this address Washington sent a reply, the 
original draft of which is in the Library of Congress, 
written upon two pages of a letter sheet, and differs 
somewhat from the final copy sent to the Grand 
Lodge from Elkton, where Washington spent the 
next day. It will be recalled that but two weeks had 
elapsed since he wrote his last letter to Dominie 
Snyder of Fredericktown, and this fact was evi- 
dently in his mind when he wrote this letter to the 
JNIaryland Brethren. 

Upon second thought he eliminated the lines bear- 
ing upon the insinuations in Snyder's letter. Fol- 
lowing is a copy of the letter as originally written, 
viz. : 

" To THE Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free 

"^Iasons for the State of Maryland. 
"Gentlemen § Brothers, 

"Your obliging & affectionate 
" letter, together with a copy of the Constitutions of 
" JMasonry has been put into my hands by 
"your Grand Master; for which I praj'' you to 
" accept my best thanks. — 

9 113 



flDasonic Corre0pont)ence of Masbington 

" So far as I am 
"acquainted with the principles & Doctrines of 
" Free JSIasonry, I conceive it to be founded 
" in benevolence and to be exercised only 
" for the good of mankind. If it has been a 
''Cloak to promote improper or nefarious 
"objects, it is a melancliolly proof that 
''in unworthy hands, the best institutions 
" may be made use of to promote the worst 
" designs. — 

"While I offer my grateful 
"acknowledgements for your congratulations on my 
" late appointments, and for the favorable sentiments 
" you are pleased to express of my conduct, permit 
" me to observe, that at this important & 
"critical moment, when repeated and 
"high indignities have been offered to this 
" govermnent your country and the rights & property 
" of our Citizens plundered without a prospect of 
"redress, I conceive it to be the indispensable 
" duty of every American, let his situation & cir 
" cumstances in life be what they may, to come 
" forward in support of the govermnent of his country 
" and to give all the aid in his power toward 
"maintaining that independence which we have 
"so dearly purchased; and under this impression, 
" I did not hesitate to lay aside all personal 
" considerations and accept mj'- appointment. 
" I pray you to be assured that I ap- 

114 



Mltb 6ran^ Xot)ge of fiDar^^lanD 

"predate, with sincerity your kind wishes for 
"my health & happiness. 

"I am GentP & brothers 
"very respectfully 

"Yr most oV serv\'* 




Before this letter was sent, the five words on the 
tenth line and the whole of next five lines were 
eliminated; there was also a slight change made in 
the last paragraph on the second page. 

Following is a copy of the letter as received by the 
Grand Lodge of Maryland. The original letter 
was in the possession of the Grand Lodge of Mary- 
land, as late as 1833, but it has since disappeared.^^ 

"To THE Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of 

Free Masons for the State of Maryland. 
'^ Gentlemen and Brothers: 

"Your obliging and affectionate letter, together 
with a copy of the Constitution of Masonry, has 
been put into my hands by your Grand Master, for 
which I pray you to accept my best thanks. So far 
as I am acquainted with the principles and doctrines 
of Freemasonry, I conceive them to be founded on 
benevolence, and to be exercised for the good of 

6» Ibid., p. 266. 

115 



flDaeontc CorreeponDence ot Maebington 

mankind; I cannot, therefore, upon this ground 
withdraw my approbation from it. 

"While I offer my grateful acknowledgements 
for your congratulations on my late appointment, 
and for the favorable sentiments you are pleased to 
express of my conduct, permit me to observe, that, 
at this important and critical moment, when high 
and repeated indignities have been offered to the 
Govermnent of our country, and when the property 
of our citizens is plundered without a prospect of 
redress, I conceive it to be the indispensable duty of 
every American, let his station and circumstances in 
life be what they may, to come forward in support 
of the Government of his choice and to give all the 
aid in his power towards maintaining that independ- 
ence which we have so dearly purchased; and imder 
this impression, I did not hesitate to lay aside all 
personal considerations and accept my appointment. 
I pray you to be assured that I receive with grati- 
tude your kind wishes for my health and happiness 
and reciprocate them with sincerity. 

"I am. Gentlemen and Brothers, 
"Very Respectfully, 

"Your most Ob't Servant, 




"Elkton, November 8th, 1798." 

116 




XV 

Correspondence with G. W. Snyder, 1798. 

AS to the correspondence with one G. W. 
Snyder (Schneider), who represented 
himself as a preacher of the Reformed 
Church of Fredericktown, Maryland, 
our late Brother James M. Lamberton, in his ad- 
dress before the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge 
of Pennsylvania, at the celebration of the " Sesqui- 
centennial Aniversary of the initiation of Brother 
George Washington into the Fraternity of Free- 
masons," held in the Masonic Temple, in the City 
of Philadelphia on Wednesday, November the fifth, 
A. D. 1902, states :^^ 

"It is well known that during the French Revo- 
lution religion was dethroned, and reason installed 
in the place of Deity. The spreading of such doc- 
trines was by many ascribed to the ' Illuminati,' who 
were supposed to be Masons. During this period 

60 " Memorial Volume, Washington Sesqui-centennial Anniversary," 
Philadelphia, 1902, p. 165. 

117 



fiDasontc Corre0pont)ence ot Masbington 



clubs like the Jacobin Clubs in France were formed 
in this country, and the spread of these doctrines was 
greatly feared, especially by the clergy, and in 1798 
one of them, one G. W. Snyder, of Frederick- 
town, Maryland, wrote to Washington sending at 
the same time a book entitled 'Proofs of a Con- 
spiracy,' etc., by John Robison,^^ the conspiracy 
being 'to overturn all government and all religion."*^^ 
This letter, sent to Washington at Mount Vernon 
covered no less than six pages; following is a ver- 
batim copy of the original now in the Library of 
Congress. 

"To His Excellency George Washington. 

" Sir, — You will, I hope, not think it a Pre | sump- 
tion in a Stranger, whose Name, | perhaps never 
reached your Ears, to ad | dress himself to you, the 
Commanding | General of a great Nation. I am a | 
German, born and liberally educated | in the city of 
Heydelberg, in the Pa | latinate of the Rhine. I 
came to this [ Country in 1776, and felt soon after 
my I arrival, a close Attachment to the | Liberty for 
which these confederated | States then struggled. 
The same attachment | still remains not glowing, but 

61 " proofs I of a I CONSPIRACY | against all the | RELIGIONS 
and GOVERNMENTS | of | EUROPE | carried on | in the secret meet- 
ings I of 1 FREE MASONS, ILLUMINATI, | and | READING SOCIE- 
TIES, I " collected from Good Authorities | by | JOHN ROBISON, 
A. M. I —EDINBURGH, | 1797. | 

62 The original letter of August 22, 1798, is among the Washington 
papers in the Library of Congress; a photostat of same is in the 
Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

118 



Mitb (5. M. Sn^t)er 




U/^ 






yt'^xy 



Fac-simile of First Page of Lettee from G. W. Snyder to Washing- 
ton, August 22, 1798. 

119 



fiDasonic CorrcsponDencc of Masbinoton 

burning in | my Breast. At the same Time that I 
am I exulting in the Measures adopted by our | Gov- 
ernment, I feel myself elevated in | the Idea of my 
adopted Country, I am | attached, both from the 
Bent of Educa | tion and mature Enquiry and 
Search | to the simple Doctrines of Christianity, | 
which I have the Honor to teach in | Public ; and I 
do heartily Despise all the | Cavils of Infidelity. 
Our present Time | pregnant with the most shocking 
Events | and Calamities, threatens Ruin to | our Lib- 
erty and Government. | The most secret Plans are 
in Agitation; | Plans calculated to ensnare the Un- 
wary, I to attract the Gay irreligious, and to | en- 
tice even the Well-Disposed to combine in | the gen- 
eral Machine for overturning all | Government and 
all Religion. 

" It was some Time since that a Book | fell into 
my hands, entitled ' Proofs of | a Conspirac5^ &c. by 
John Robison,' which | gives a full Account of a 
Society of Free | Masons, that distinguishes itself by 
the I name of ' Illuminati,' whose Plan is to over | 
throw all Government and all Religion, even | nat- 
ural ; and who endeavor to eradicate | every Idea of 
a Supreme Being, and distin | guish Man from Beast 
by his shape only. | A Thought suggested itself to 
me, that some | of the Lodges in the United States 
might I have caught the Infection, and might co- 
oper I ate with the Illuminati or the Jacobin Club | 
in France. Fauchet is mentioned by Robinson | as 
a zealous INIember ; and who can doubt | Genet and 

120 



Mttb 0, M. Sn^Der 







C^-T-T 



izy^^^f*^ ^^^f-^^7%5 /^hH^A^ Urtoy^'t^ 

Fac-simiue of Fourth Page of Letter froji G. \V. Snyder to Washikg- 
TON, August 22, 1798. 



121 



fiDaaontc Correspondence of Masbtnoton 

Adet? Have not these their con | fidants in this 
country? They use the same | Expressions, and are 
generally Men of no | Religion. Upon serious Re- 
flection I was led | to think that it might be within 
your I Power to prevent the horrid Plan from | cor- 
rupting the Brethren of the English Lodges | over 
which you preside. 

" I send you the * Proof of a Conspiracy,' &c. ] 
which I doubt not, will give you Satis | faction, and 
afford you matter for a | Train of ideas, that may 
operate to our | national Felicity. If, however, you 
have I already perused the Book, it will not, 1 1 trust, 
be disagreeable to you that I [ have presumed to ad- 
dress you with this | Letter and the Book accompany- 
ing it. I It proceeded from the Sincerity of my | 
Heart, and my ardent Wishes for the | common Good. 

" May the Supreme Ruler of all [ Things continue 
You long with us in | these perilous Times : may he 
endow you | with Strength and Wisdom to save our | 
Country in the threating Storms and | gathering 
Clouds of Factions and Com | motions ! and after you 
have completed | his Work, on this terrene Spot, 
may He | bring you to the full Possession of the \ 
glorious Liberty of the Children of God, | is the 
hearty and most sincere Wish of 

" Your Excellency's | very humble and | 

"devoted Servant, 
"G. W. Snyder. 
" Fredericktown, (Maryland) Aug. 22, 1798. 
"His Excellency General George Washington." 

122 



..4^9LA^ f^ % ^ ^ii^Stt.^jyt 



..-^ 




M <> ^ AJm^rikjL^ 






FAC-SIMILE OF PRESS COPY OF WASHINGTON'S 




^"!l^ 



ANSWER TO REV. G. W. SNYDER.-september 25, i798. 



(5. M. Sn5^er (Scbnei^cr) 



This man Snyder (Sclineider) was an agitator and 
thoroughly irresponsible person, having no ecclesi- 
astical connection with any organized Church Body. 

In the year 1787, Schneider came from Albany, 
'New York, to Frederick, ostensibly to collect money 
to build a Church. He was kindly received and per- 
mitted to preach in the Reformed Congregation, 
where he soon fomented discord and trouble. 

Schneider was soon driven out of Frederick Town, 
but returned again in 1794, when he renewed the 
trouble in the Church, which ended in a schism. The 
matter finally got into the Civil Court, and on Feb- 
ruary 15, 1800 the case was decided against him, 
which ended his activity in Frederick Town; soon 
after which he left for parts unknown.^^^ 

Snyder, who was not a native of this country, evi- 
dently labored under the impression that Washing- 
ton was a Grand JNIaster General, who presided over 
all of the English (or Symbolic) Masonic Lodges 
in the United States. Snyder evidently used the 
term "English" Lodges, to distinguish them from 
the Masonic bodies working in the so-called higher 
(Scotch) degrees, as are now known as the Ancient 
and Accepted Scottish Rite. 

How important Washington considered this cor- 
respondence is shown by his precaution in taking a 
press copy of both of his letters to Snyder, who he 

62a Cf. Historical sketch of the Evangelical Reformed Church of 
Frederick, Maryland, 1904, pp. 22-25, 

123 



fiDasonic Correspondence ot Maebinoton 

was led to believe was the regular pastor of the Ger- 
man Reformed Congregation at Fredericktown. 
These are now in the Library of Congress. It will be 
noted that in all of his other Masonic correspond- 
ence, copies were made in his regular letter books 
by his clerks, of both address and reply. Brother 
Washington evidently surmised that this letter 
from Snyder was nothing more or less than a scheme 
to entrap him. It was not until a month had elapsed, 
and then only after due consideration, that the fol- 
lowing reply was sent to Fredericktown, viz. : 

"Mount Vernon, 25'^ Sept. 1798. 
''Sir, 

"Many apologies are 
"due to you, for my not acknowledging 
"the receipt of your obliging favour of 

for 
" the 22^ ult, and /\ not thanking you, at 
"an earlier period for the Book you 
"had the goodness to send me. 

"I have heard much of the ne- 
"farious & dangerous plan, & doctrines 
" of the Illuminati, but never saw the 
"Book until you were pleased to send 
"it to me. The same causes which 
"have prevented my acknowledging the 
'receipt of your letter, have prevented 
*my reading the Book, hitherto, name- 

124 



<^*. *^CkzjK,ryt^2j(. iAa/z/^r 



.•a.- 5^^ 



<r' 



-7 '/ 






"4*-^ «•>»«? 






£^y^ j^^A^^ •^^Zi:>. ^^^^A^4a0^L;g^ 









<9f^^y»^. ^^ ftk^ m^Zk^i^^^eJ^ ^srx^y^Lc^^^'^gx, 



a^ 



^^C rf<l1Sitf» ^»^lg». a<i -aJ^^ <s^:K^m^^ A»^ 








FAC-SIMILE OF PRESS COPY OF WASHINGTON'S SECOND 

















-*^ '«-«T#- ij 






►^ts^. 



LETTER TO REV. G. W. SNYDER.-october 24, 1798 



OTaebinoton's TRepl^ 



ly, the multiplicity of matters which 
me 
"pressed upon before, & the debilitated 
" state in which I was left after a se 
*' vere fever had been removed, and 
" which allows me to add little more now, 
"than thanks for your kind wishes and 
"favourable sentiments, except to cor- 
"rect an error you have run into, of my 
"presiding over the English Lodges in 
"this Country. The fact is, I preside over 
"none, nor have I been in one, more than 

thirty 
" once or twice, within the last years. 

"I believe notwithstanding, that 
"none of the Lodges in this Country are 
"contaminated with the principles as- 
"cribed to the society of the lUuminati." 
"With respect 
"I am, Sir, 

"Yom- Obed' W Serv' 




" The Rev^ M^- Snyder. 
Endorsed 

to 
"The Rev^ Mr. Snyder. 

"25'^ Sep. 1798." 



'^;2^ 




125 



fiDaeontc Correspondence of Masbin^ton 

In this letter Washington was correct in stating 
that he had not presided over the "Enghsh Lodges 
in this Country," undoubtedly meaning as Grand 
Master General. 

Where Washington says "The fact is I preside 
over none," he meant that he did not then preside 
over any individual lodge, as he at that time was a 
Past Master of Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, of 
Virginia.^^ 

Where he says "Nor have I been in one, [mean- 
ing an individual lodge] more than once or twice 
within the last thirty years" he obviously had in 
view his occasional visits to the various lodges dur- 
ing that period, and that he could not, on account 
of his official duties and other conditions, attend any 
lodge regularly. 

As a matter of record, Washington was a mem- 
ber of Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, of Pennsylvania,^^ 
and attended some of its meetings at Alexandria in 
1783 and 1784, as is shown by the Minutes of the 
Lodge, and the records here presented.*''^ Further, 
that when the Brethren of Alexandria Lodge, No. 
39, changed their allegiance from Pennsylvania to 
Virginia, General Washington was especially 
named in the warrant, after his consent having been 

63 Cf. "Washington, The Man and Mason," p. 288. 
«4 Vide " Sesqui-Centennial Anniversary of the Initiation of Brother 
George Washington before quoted," p. 149. 
65 Cf. Chapters II and III supra. 

126 



IKIlaebtngton m, m. of Xo^ge IRo. 22 

first obtained,«« and thereby became the Warrant 
Master of Lodge No. 22, under the Virginia juris- 
diction, April 28, 1788, serving as such until Decern- 
ber 20 following, when, as the minutes of that date 
show,'^^ he was unanimously elected to succeed him- 
self for the full term, serving in all about twenty 
months. 

The records further show that, in 1778, Washing- 
ton occupied the chief position in the procession at 
the celebration of St. John the Evangelist by the 
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in 
1778, in which more than three hundred Brethren 
joined.^^ 

He also occupied the same position when he laid 
the corner stone of the present capitol at Washing- 
ton, September 18, 1793, clothed with the Masonic 
Apron presented by Lafayette, which is now in the 
Museum of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 
Upon both of these occasions, Washington made a 
public profession of his membership in the Masonic 
Fraternity. 

Records show that Washington was present at 
the meeting of American Union Lodge (a Military 

"Cf. "Washington, The Man and Mason," p o8(i 



127 



fiDaeonlc CorreeponDence of Maebinolon 

Lodge), at Morristown, N. J., December 27, 1779 f^ 
at American Union Lodge at Nelson's point on the 
Hudson June 24, 1782;'^ at King Solomon's Lodge 
of Poughkeepsie, December 27, 1782, and occasion- 
ally at Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, in 1783-1784, 
and the Virginia Lodge, No. 22, between the years 
1788 and 1797.'^' 

Washington in the next paragraph of his letter 
to Snyder makes his meaning absolutely clear, 
that while he had not attended any Lodge regularly 
during the past thirty years he plainly states: "I 
believe notwithstanding, that none of the Lodges in 
this Country are contaminated with the principles 
ascribed to the society of the Illuminati." 

This belief is further accentuated by the letter to 
the Grand Lodge of Maryland a few weeks after the 
above letter was written to Snyder. 

In addition to above records, there are numerous 
traditions of Washington's occasional visits to 
Masonic Lodges and functions:'^ all of which fall 
within the thirty years mentioned in the Snyder 
Letter.''^ 

Further, Washington's great interest in Free- 

eolbid., Vol. I, Chapter XII, pp. 399 et seq. 

Vide " Washington and his Masonic Compeers," Chapter VIII, pp. 
149 et seq. 

70 Ibid., pp. 86-87. Also records of King Solomon's Lodge, No. 1, 
Poughkeepsie, New York. 

71 Ibid., pp. 150 et seq. 

72 Ibid., pp. 139 et seq. 

72a Washington, so far as known, attended the following public 
Masonic functions: 

128 



**MUbin tbe last tbtrti? i^ears*' 

masonry is shown by the many addresses received 
from different Grand and Subordinate Lodges 
throughout the Union, all of which he acknowledged 
in fraternal terms, also by the various Masonic con- 
stitutions and sermons dedicated to him, which he 
received with thanks and were preserved in his 
library. 

It will be noted that in the fifth line from the 
bottom, " Within the last thirty years'' which in all 
Anti-Masonic publications is printed in italics, the 
word "thirty" was not in the body of the letter as 
originally written, but was an afterthought and 
interlined before the press copy was taken. 

In the press copy of this letter, it will be noted 
that the word written over the words "la^t years," 
is almost indecipherable; in the photostat it is com- 
pletely so. This has led some investigators to ques- 
tion whether the interlined word is really ''thirty.'* 

The surmise that the blur in the press copy of 

1. Procession in Philadelphia, Festival of St. John the Evangelist, 
December 28, 1778. 

2. Festival of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1779, with the American 
Union Lodge, at the Robinson House on the Hudson, New York. 

3. Festival of St. John the Evangelist, December 27, 1779, with 
American Union Lodge, at the Morris Hotel, Morristown, New Jersey. 

4. Festival of St. John the Evangelist, December 27, 1782, with King 
Solomon's Lodge, at Poughkeepsie, New York. 

5. Festival of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1784, with Lodge No. 39, 
at Alexandria, Virginia. 

6. The Masonic funeral of Brother William Ramsay, February 12, 
1785, at Alexandria. 

7. Laying of the cornerstone of the capitol at the Federal City 
(Washington, D. C), September 18, 1793, upon which occasion Wash- 
ington walked in the procession, 

10 129 



fiDasonic Corre0pont)ence of Masbin^ton 

Washington's letter to Snyder, was "thirty" was 
first promulgated by Jared Sparks, when he fui'- 
nished the text of the letter to the Anti-Masonic 
agitators, during the political excitement which 
swept over the New England States in the second 
decade of the nineteenth century. 

Snyder, upon receipt of this letter, undoubtedly 
after consultation with persons who were polit- 
ically opposed to Washington or antagonistic to 
the Masonic Fraternity, wrote a second letter and 
sent it to Mount Vernon under date of October 17, 
1798; no copy of this letter has thus far been found 
among the Washington papers in the Library of 
Congress. 

Washington immediately sent the following 
sharp reply to Snyder, in which he plainly sets forth 
his belief that the Masonic Lodges in the United 
States were not interested in the propagation of the 
tenets of what was then known as Jacobism or the 
Illumaniti. The words as underscored in the orig- 
inal letter by Washington were to emphasize his 
meaning upon this subject. 

Photostats of both of the above letter press copies 
are in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Penn- 
sylvania. 

"Mount Vernon 24"^ Oct. 1798. 

''Rev. Sir, 

"I have you favor of the 

tive 

"17*^ instant before me and my only mo: 

130 



IRepI^ to Sn^^er 



"to trouble you with the receipt of this let 
"ter, is to explain, and correct a mistake 
"which I perceive the hurry in which I 
"am obliged, often to write letters, have 
"led you into. — 

"It was not my intention to doubt 
"that, the doctrines of the Illuminati, and 
" principles of Jacobism had not spread 
"in the United States. On the contrary, no 
" one is more, fully satisfied of this fact 
"that I am. 

" The idea I meant to convey, was, 
"that I did not believe that the Lodges 
" of Free Masons in this Country had, as 
"Societies, endeavoured to propagate the 
" diabolical tenets of the first, or the per- 
"nicious principles of the latter, (if they 
"are susceptible of separation) That 
" individuals of them may have done it, or 
"that the founder, or instrument employ 
"ed to found the Democratic Societies 
" in the United States, may have had these 
" objects, and actually had a separation 
" of the people from their Government 
" in view, is too evident to be questioned. 

" My occupations are such, that 
" but little leisure is allowed me to read News 
" Papers, or Books of any kind. The reading 



131 



fiDa0ontc Corre0pon^encc of Maebtngton 

" of letters and preparing answers, absorb 
"much of my time. — 

"With respect, — I remain, 

"Rev-^ Sir, 

"Your Most Obed^ W Serv* 




"The Rev\ 

"M"- Snyder." 
Endorsed 

to 
" The Rev' M' Snyder, 
"24^" Oct. 1798." 

It is a historical fact that Washington had always 
retained the highest respect for the people of Mary- 
land, and especially the citizens of Frederick County. 
No man ever stood higher in the estimation of the 
people of Maryland than Washington, and his death 
awakened genuine sorrow. On February 22d, 1800, 
memorial services were observed in the Reformed 
Church at Fredericktown.'^^ It was a solemn day and 
the whole County was in mourning; at which time 
Ex-Governor Thomas Johnson pronounced the fun- 
eral oration. Snyder took no part in these services. 

The two letters to Snyder were chiefly relied upon 
by the Anti-Masons to support their political claims. 

72b Cf. Historical sketch before quoted, p. 24. 

132 



Hntt^noaeonic SlanOers 



"That Washington was never in a Lodge but 
twice, in his hfe; that he paid no attention to Ma- 
sonry during the war; that in 1781 he decHned being 
addressed by Masons as a brother Mason, and in 
1798 was very particular to insist upon the fact that 
he had not been in a Lodge, but once or twice in 30 
years, and knew nothing of their principles and 
practices."^^ 

How false these statements so frequently made, 
is shown by the many proofs here presented in fac- 
simile of the originals, which also absolutely contro- 
vert the statement in Governor Ritner's Vindication? 
viz : — 

" That all the letters said to be written by Wash- 
ington to Lodges are spurious. This is rendered 
nearly certain: First, by the non-production of the 
originals: Second, by the absence of copies among 
the records of his letters: Third, by their want of 
dates: Fourth, by the fact that his intimate friend 
and biographer, Chief Justice Marshall,"* (himself a 
Mason in his youth,) says that he never heard Wash- 
ington utter a syllable on the subject, a matter 
nearly impossible, if Washington had for years 
been engaged in writing laudatory letters to the 
Grand Lodges of South Carolina, Pennsylvania, 
and Massachusetts."^^ 

The movement to elect General Washington a 

73 Anti-Masonic Republican Convention before quoted, p. 26. 
73a Grand Master of Virginia, 1793-1795, 

74 Vindication of General Washington before quoted, p. 15. 

133 



fiDasontc Correspondence of Masbtngton 

Grand Master over all the Brethren in the United 
States originated at a meeting of American Union 
Lodge, held at the encampment of the American 
Army at Morristown, 'New Jersey, December 15, 
1779. This Lodge was a Regimental Lodge of the 
Connecticut Line, originally warranted by the Pro- 
vincial Grand Master of Massachusetts. 

This movement continued to find favor amongst 
the craft, especially in Pennsylvania, and culminated 
in a motion to that effect at a General Grand Com- 
munication of the Grand Lodge, December 20, 1779. 

This resulted in a Grand Lodge of Emergency 
being convened January 13, 1780, when the follow- 
ing action was taken :^^ 

" This Lodge being called by Order of the Grand 
Master, upon the request of Sundry Brethren, and 
also in pursuance of a Motion made at the last Gen- 
eral Communication, to consider the Propriety as 
well as the necessity of appointing a Grand Master 
over all the Grand Lodges formed or to be formed 
in these United States, as the Correspondence which 
the Rules of Masonry require cannot now be carried 
on with the Grand Lodge of London, under whose 
Jurisdiction the Grand Lodges in these States were 
originally constituted; The Ballot was put upon the 
Question: Whether it be for the Benefit of Masonry 
that 'a Grand Master of Masons thro'out the 

75 Cf . " Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge," Vol. I, p. 19. 

134 



leiectet) (Brant) fiDaeter General 

United States' shall be now nominated on the part 
of this Grand Lodge; and it was unanimously de- 
termined in the affirmative. 

" Sundry respectable Brethren being then put in 
nomination, it was moved that the Ballot be put for 
them separately, and His Excellency George Wash- 
ington, Esquire, General and Commander-in-chief 
of the Armies of the United States being first in 
nomination, he was ballotted for accordingly as 
Grand Master, and Elected by the unanimous vote 
of the whole Lodge. 

"Ordered, That the minutes of this Election and 
appointment be transmitted to the different Grand 
Lodges in the United States, and their Concurrence 
therein be requested, in Order that application be 
made to his Excellency in due form, praying that 
he will do the Brethren and Craft the honor of ac- 
cepting their appointment. A Committee was ap- 
pointed to expedite the Business." 

The movement was further advanced at a Con- 
vention of representatives of the Army Lodges, held 
at Morristown, N. J., on February 7, 1780, when, 
fortified by the pronounced action of the Grand 
Lodge of Pennsylvania, a committee was chosen of 
which Brother Mordecai Gist of Maryland was 
chairman and Brother Otho Williams of Delaware, 
secretary.^^ 

76 " Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, 1727 — 1781," Vol. I, p. 39, 

135 



\ ■ 



fiDasontc Correspondence ot miaebington 






^ 

^ 

^ 



•,i^ ^ 



.1 1 '] 



i 



I sLi 






1 ^ I ■ 























2^ 







y 



nOaesacbuBctts iRefuses Qoneent 

This Committee issued the celebrated address: 
"To the RIGHT WORSHIPFUL, The Grand 

Masters of the several Lodges in the Respective 

United States of America. 

" UNIOX FORCE LOVE." 

This address was signed by representatives of no 
less than seven states, viz. : Maryland, Connecticut, 
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Bay, New 
York and Delaware; in addition to those of the 
American Union Lodge, Artillery, St. John's Regi- 
mental Lodge and the Staff of the American Army. 

It was further ordered that the foregoing address 
with an exact copy of these proceedings signed by 
the President and Secretary, be sent to the respective 
Provincial Grand Masters in the United States.^^ 

It was not until the middle of October that a reply 
was received from the Grand Lodge of Massachu- 
setts to the circular letter sent out by the Grand 
Lodge of Pennsylvania, and then only in response 
to a letter written by our Grand Secretary, Rev. 
Brother Dr. William Smith. 

This matter led to more or less correspondence be- 
tween the Grand Lodges of Pennsylvania and 
Massachusetts and was in abeyance, until January, 
1781, when the following letter was received from 
Joseph Webb, Grand Master of Massachusetts."^^ 

77 Address in full, ibid., pp. 399-402. 

78 All of the original correspondence is in the Archives of the Grand 
Lodge of Pennsylvania, Mss., Vol. A. 

137 



flDasonic CorrcsponDencc ot Masbington 

"Boston, Jany 17, 1781. 
''Rev^ Sir and 
" Itespected Brother 

"Last Friday Evening the Grand Lodge met, 
agreeable to adjournment and after a long debate 
on the subject, whether it was expedient at present 
to elect a Grand Master General for the United 
States, it passed in the negative. 

" Inclosed I transmit you the vote from the G. 
Secy 

Yr Affect' Brother 
"& Hble Serv' 
"Rev Dr Smith "Jos: Webb. 

"Philadelphia." 

The belief that Washington was the Grand 
Master of the United States was widespread, and, 
as our late Bro. James M. Lamberton said in his ad- 
dress before mentioned,''' notwithstanding the fact 
that the project to elevate General Washington fell 
through, "that the action of the Army Lodges and 
of our Grand Lodge got abroad, is shown by trans- 
lations of two letters from a Lodge at Cape Fran- 
cois,^^ on the island of San Domingo, directed to 
General Washington as Grand Master of all 
America, soliciting a charter, which were presented 
to our Grand Lodge, February 3, 1786. The same 

79 " Wasliinjrton Sescjui-Centennial Celebration, Nov. 5, 1903, Me- 
morial Volmnc," ])]>. i;{5-(). 

«o Cf. " Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," Vol. IT, Chapter LIII, 
pp. 2-t2-250. 

138 



Hmor— Ibonor— let 3u0ttca 



thing is shown by a medal struck in 1797, the obverse 
showing the bust of Washixgtox, with the legend, 
*'G. Washington President. 1797," the reverse 
showing many Masonic emblems,^ ^ with the legend 
"Amor. Honor. Et Justica G.W.G.G.M." {i. e., 
George Washington, General Grand Master) . 

The writer of the letters to Washington, Snyder, 
quoted at the beginning of this chapter, being of 
foreign birth, and not a member of the Masonic Fra- 
ternity, nor even living where a ]Masonic Lodge ex- 
isted, evidently labored under the same delusion as 
the Brethren at Cape Francois. 

The Masonic Correspondence of Washington as 
represented upon these pages, should settle for all 
time to come the question, as to the esteem in which 
Washington held the ]Masonic Fraternity, of which 
he was an honored Member. 

It is stated that there are still a large number of 
Washington papers in the Library of Congress, that 
are not accessible, as they have thus far not been 
classified or indexed. Thus it is in the possibilities 
that there may be still further documentary evidence 
found of Masonic import, in addition to such as are 
set forth upon these pages. 

81 Specimen in Museum of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 



139 




JTie Jlrms ofy moft Ancient & Jlortonible, JFraternity 
of JFrce andyjiccepted Ma/bns. 



\ 




INDEX. 



Aberts Tavern, 101 

Adam, Rev. John, 30 

Adam, Robert, 29, 30 

Adcock, William, 77 

Alexander, Alexander, 58 

Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, Ad- 
dress and Reply, 18; Letter and 
Address to Washington, 96; 
Washington's Reply, 97 

Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, 17; 
Correspondence with, 28; Ad- 
dress to Washington, 29; Meets 
at Lamb Tavern, 33; Invites 
Washington to dine with them, 
34 

Allison, John, 29, 33 

Anti-Masonic Craze, mention of, 
8; Attack Washington's memory, 
10; Certify to Records, 16 

Armstrong, Thomas, 90 

Bartlett, Josiah, 83, 102 

Baker, George A., 90 

Ball, William, 93 

Belton, William, 111, 113 

Blair, Judge, 42 

Blyth, Joseph, 53 

Bowen, Thomas B., 58 

Bradley, Thomas, 90 

Burk, Miss Fanny M., Copies, 

Portrait for Grand Lodge of 

Pennsylvania, 36 



Carson, J,, 53 
Chapman, Samuel, 48, 49 
Clark, Peleg, 15 
Clinton, Governor, 42 
Cohen, Abraham, 53 
Corney, James, 48 
Craik, George W., 2, 93 
Craik, Dr. James, 93 
Cutler, John, 83 
Cusack, Richard E., 90 

Dandridge, Bartholomew, 2, 75, 
81 

Drayton, William, 58 

Duplessis, Peter le Barbier, 70; 
Autograph, 72, 79, 80 

Dick, Elisah C, 29, 32; Conducts 
Masonic Services at Washing- 
ton's Funeral, 33 

Dick, Archibald, 32 

Edwards, Thomas, 102 
Elliot, Robert, 15 
Foster, Theo., 42 

Franklin, Benjamin, mention of, 

27 
Freemasonry in Pennsylvania 

(Barratt and Sachse), Referred 

to, 16 
Free Quaker Meeting House, 69 
Few, Joseph, 70; mention of, 78 
Fredericktown, Maryland, 117 



141 



fiDaeonic Corrcepon^ence of Maebtnoton 



Gates, Thomas, 58 

Georgia Grand Lodge, Address 

and Reply, 7, 17; Fraudulent 

letter to, 94 
Gist, Mordecai, 57, 58, 59; Sketch 

of, 64, 134 
Gorman, Mr., of New Hampshire, 

43 
Gillies, James, 95, 96, 97 
Grant, Reuben, 53 
Greene, Mrs. Nathaniel, 66 
GriflBth, Cadawalder, 90 
Guion, Isaac, 48 49 

Hayes, Moses Michael, mention of. 

Handy, John, 15 

Hailing, Solomon, 48, 49 

Hamilton, Gavin, 70, 90 

Harris, Thaddeus M., 103 

Hildreth, Ara, 38 

Houston, George, 66 

Hunt, Galliard, mention of, 6 

Irwin, David, 90 
Israel, Israel, 90 
lUuminati, 117 

Jackson, Major William, 2; Copies 

Address and Answer, 40 
Jefferson, Thomas, 36, 43 
Johnson, William, 48, 49 

King David's Lodge, No. 1, New- 
port, R. I., Proposed Masonic 
Address to General Washington, 
14; Extracts from Records, 15, 
17; Correspondence with, 37; 
Sends Address to Washington, 
38; Fac-simile of Washington's 
Reply, 41 

Knox, Robert, 58 

Lamberton, J. M., Address Wash- 
ington as a Freemason, 11; 
quoted, 117 

Laughton, Joseph, 104 



Lamb Tavern, Alexandria meeting 
place of Lodge, No. 39, 33 

Lear, Tobias, 2, 75, 101 

Letter Books in Library of Con- 
gress, 6 

Littlefield, William, 37 

Lowthorp, F., 48 

Lodge No. 27, .on Pennsylvania 
Roster, 57, 59 

Massachusetts Grand Lodge, Draft 
of Letter to, 7; Letter to, 8; 
Objects to Washington as Grand 
Master General, 16; Address and 
Reply, 18; Address to Washing- 
ton, 83; Reply, 85; Letter to 
Paul Revere, 104; Reply to 
Grand Lodge, 106; Refuses to 
nominate Washington as Grand 
Master General, 136 

Maryland Grand Lodge, Draft of 
Letter to 7, 18; Address to 
Washington, 112; Washington 
Reply, 113; Original Draft of 
Reply, ib 

Masonic Aprons, 20 

Masonic Portrait of Washington 
in Alexandria Lodge, 36 

Mazyck, William C, 60 

Mason, Benjamin, 70 

Machey, Mungo, 83 

Marsteller, Phillip G., 95, 96 

Marshall, John, Chief Justice, 132 

McElwee, John, 90 

Meyers, Israel, 58 

Miller, George, 58 

Mitchell, John, 58 

Newburgh, Washington in Camp 

at, 21 
Nelson, William, 90 
Nilson, Andrew, 90 

Oliver, Daniel, 104 
Oswald, Eleaser, 90 



Pasteur, Edward, 48 



142 



inDex 



Pennsylvania Grand Lodge, Draft 
of Letter to, 7; Address and 
Reply, 18; Resolutions, 69; Ad- 
dress to Washington, 71; Wash- 
ington's Reply, 73; Address to 
Washington, 1796, 88; Address, 
1797, 103; Nominated Washing- 
ton as Grand Master General, 
133 

Prince George's Lodge, No. 16, 
Georgetown, S. C, Address and 
Reply, 8, 17; Correspondence 
with, SI; Sketch of, ib.; Ad- 
dress to Washington, 52; Fac- 
simile, 54, 55; Washington's 
Reply, 56 

Providence, R. I., Washington 
Arrives at, 42 

Procter, Thomas, 70; Sketch of, 
78, 90 

Putnam, Herbert, mention of, 4 

Ramsay, William, 29, 33 

Ramsay, Dennis, 95, 96 

Revere, Paul, 2; Letter from 
Washington, 8; Letter to, 18, 
102, 104 

Rehm, Dr. J. F., 50 

Ritner, Governor, Vindication, 132 

Robison, John, "Proofs of Con- 
spiracy," 118 

Rush, Dr. Benjamin, 32 

Seixas, Moses, 15, 37; Sketch of, 
39 

Shippen, Dr. William, 32 

Sherburne, Henry, 37 

Smith, Mr. of South Carolina, 42 

Smith, Rev. William, D.D., Ser- 
mon by, 12; Masonic Sermons 
by, 13; Addresses the Brethren, 
70; Drafts Address, 71, 73; 
Masonic Record, 76, 90; Writes 
to Grand Lodge, Massachusetts, 
135 

Smith, Jonathan Bayard, 70; Auto- 
graph, 72, 73; Sketch of, 76 



Smith, William Moore, Autograph, 
89, 90; Sketch of, 93 

Snyder (Schneider), G. W., 3; 
Letter to Washington, 18, 113; 
Fac-simile of Letter, 119, 121; 
Sketch of, 123 

South Carolina Grand Lodge, 
Draft of Letter to, 7, 17; Cor- 
respondence with, 57; Address 
to Washington, 59; Washing- 
ton's Reply, 59; Original Draft 
of Reply, 61; Fac-simile, 63, 63 

Sparks, Jared, 9; Letter from, 10, 
129 

St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Newbern, 
N. C, Address and Reply, 8, 
17; Correspondence with, 44; 
Resolution, 44; Address to 
Washington, 45; Fac-Simile, 46, 
47 

Town, Thomas, 90 
Thomas, Isaiah, 104 

Washington, George, Master of 
Lodge while President, 2; 
Masonic Bodies named after, 3; 
Full length Portrait in London, 
4; Copies of all Masonic Letters, 
5; Letter to Paul Revere, 7; 
Memory attacked by Anti- 
Masons, 10; At Newport, R. I., 
1781, 14; At Providence, R. L, 
ib; Report on, 15; As Grand 
Master, 16; Replies to Snyder, 
18; Receives Masonic Orna- 
ments from Watson & Cassoul, 
20; Masonic Apron from Lafa- 
yette, 20; Reply to Watson & 
Cassoul, 21; In camp at New- 
burg, 21; Resigns his commis- 
sion at Annapolis, 28; Returns 
to Mount Vernon, ib; Address 
from Lodge No. 39, 29; Reply 
to Lodge No. 39, 30; Fac-simile, 
31; Invites Washington to dine 



143 



UnDex 



with the Lodge, SI; Acceptance, 
35; Accepts Honorary Member- 
ship, ib; Portrait of in Alex- 
andria Lodge, 36; Address from 
King David's Lodge, 38; Arrives 
at Newport, R. I., 42; Provi- 
dence, ib; Reply to King David's 
Lodge, ib; Starts on Southern 
Tour, 44; Reply to St. John's 
Lodge, 49; Arrives at George- 
town, S. C, 51 ; Washington's 
Reply to Prince George's Lodge, 
56; Arrives at Charleston, S. C, 
57; Receives Address from 
Grand Lodge of South Caro- 
lina, 58; Washington's Reply, 59; 
Calls on Mrs. Nathaniel Greene, 
65; Receives Address from 
Grand Lodge, Georgia, 66 i 
Leaves Savannah, 68; Replies to 
Grand Lodge of Georgia, ib; 
Residence in Philadelphia, 69; 
Received Address from Grand 
Lodge, Pennsylvania, 71; Reply 
73; Master's Jewel, 79; Address 
from Grand Lodge, Massa- 
chusetts, 81 ; Washington's Re- 
ply, 84; Farewell Address, 86; 
At Philadelphia, 87; Address 
from Grand Lodge, Pennsyl- 
vania, 88; Washington Receives 
Deputation, 90; Reply, 91; 
Letters counterfeited, 94; Ar- 
rives at Mount Vernon, 95; 
Letter & Address from Alex- 
andria Lodge, No. 22, 96; Reply, 
97; Dines with Lodge No. 22, 
101; Letter to Paul Revere, 104; 
Draft of Reply to Grand 
Lodge of Massachusetts, 106; 
Lieutenant General, 111; At 



Baltimore, ib; Draft of Reply 
to Grand Lodge of Maryland, 
113; Reply, 115; Sesqui-Centen- 
nial Anniversary, 117; Letter 
and Book from G. W. Snyder, 
118; Reply to Snyder's Letter 
of September 15, 1798, 123; Ex- 
planation of, 125; Member of 
Alexandria Lodge, 126; Lays 
Corner-stone of Capitol, 127; 
Masonic Record of, ib.; Tradi- 
tions of, 128; Second Letter 
from Snyder, 129; Washington's 
Reply, 130; Refutation of the 
Anti-Masonic Slanders, 131 ; 
Grand Master General, 132; Ad- 
dress by Army Lodges, 134; 
Massachusetts refuses to concur, 
136; Universal belief that Wash- 
ington was Grand Master Gen- 
eral, 137; Medal struck as such, 
139. 

Washington, Lodges in United 
States, 3 

Watson and Cassoul, Draft and 
Letter to, 7, 17; Send Masonic 
Apron to Washington, 19; Reply 
to, 22; Fac-simile of original 
Draft to, 24, 25; mention of, 27 

Watson, Elkanah, 19; Letter to 
Washington, 20, 27 

Warren, John, 102 

Webb, Joseph, 135 

W^illiams, J. Henry, Authorization, 
iii; mention of, 4 

White, Rev. William, Prayer by, 
12 

Wise's Tavern, Alexandria, 35 

Williams, William, Paints Wash- 
ington's Masonic Portrait, 36 

White, Isaac, 53 

Williams, Otho, 134 



144 



c\ 



5X6. 



